Van Bommel: ‘De Ketelaere is a complete player’ for Italy vs. Belgium
PORTO, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 07: Mark van Bommel, Head Coach of Royal Antwerp, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League match between FC Porto and Royal Antwerp FC at Estadio do Dragao on November 07, 2023 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
Belgium coach Mark van Bommel explains why has decided to start Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere as a False 9 against Italy. ‘He is a complete player.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from the game on the Liveblog.
These sides are in Nations League Group A along with France and Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye.
Roberto Mancini returns to the Nazionale, having controversially walked away for the Saudi Arabia job in 2023, but he was the last to win silverware in 2021 with the European Championship.
It is also the debut for Van Bommel on this bench, and his first coaching job since leaving 2024.
“I’m excited for the game, but then we’ll be calm on the pitch and we know what we need to do,” Van Bommel told RAI Sport and Sky Sport Italia.
Former Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku is left on the bench initially, so De Ketelaere is confirmed as a False 9 upfront.
“Lukaku is a great player, but he needs to find his fitness. At this moment, De Ketelaere is the best choice. De Ketelaere had a great World Cup, he’s really intelligent, can protect the ball, turn and attack the space, good with his passing and positioning. He is a complete player.
“Every player has his own characteristics, like Lukaku and Lois Openda, but we need everyone.”
There are more Serie A players in the starting XI, as Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is featured, with Milan summer signing Diego Moreira in the trident attack of a 4-3-3 formation.
Italy are unbeaten against Belgium in competitive fixtures since a 2-1 European Championship play-off in May 1972, securing five victories and two draws.
The most recent was in the Nations League, 1-0 in Brussels in November 2024, with Luciano Spalletti on the bench.
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