Van Bommel: ‘Always 4-3-3, Belgium and Italy in same situation, Milan hope’

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)

Mark van Bommel confirms Belgium will play with a classic Dutch 4-3-3 in the Nations League against Italy, is unsure of Roberto Mancini’s approach, and leaves the door open for a future Milan return.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

The Nations League Group A is completed by France and Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye.

It is going to be the debut on the Belgium bench for Van Bommel, who as a Dutchman taking over the Red Devils is already going to be eyed with some suspicion.

He still understands Italian thanks to his spell with Milan, and it was at the Stadio Olimpico that his side won the Scudetto in 2011.

Van Bommel begins Belgium experience

“My brain is a mess with all these languages,” he told Sky Sport Italia in an interview that varied from Italian to English to occasional Spanish.

“I had a really nice time at Milan, we played with a fantastic squad, it’s true that I only played once at the Stadio Olimpico and it was to win the Scudetto with Milan. Now I am back and hope to get a good result tomorrow.

“I sent some messages to some of the players I was with, and some fighting was going on…”

Van Bommel has not coached for two years since his time at RSC Anderlecht, so there is some mystery around how he intends to set out this Belgium team tomorrow.

“It’s not easy to prepare the team in four days. We had some meetings with the players to explain what we want to do. We want the ball, and if we lose it, to win it back as soon as possible. We want to dominate the game, but it’s not easy when starting a new era.

“We’re in the Nations League against Italy, France and Turkiye, so there’s no time to experiment, but Italy are in the same situation as us.”

Will Van Bommel set his men out in a 4-3-3?

“Yes, 4-3-3. I’m Dutch, we’re always 4-3-3!”

Roberto Mancini is also something of an unknown quantity on his return to the Italy side.

“It’s difficult to prepare, because you don’t know what he is going to do. Gattuso was the coach last season, I know Rino and his style of football. It won’t be easy for Italy either.

“I watched many of Roberto’s games, I’m not sure if he will do the same things, they might have a 4-3-3, we’ll see.”

Kevin De Bruyne is struggling for fitness at Napoli after a nightmare season, but there were reports the coach flew to Naples in order to urge him not to retire from international duty.

“Kevin, Lukaku, Tielemans, De Ketelaere, we have several players with a lot of experience, others who are in Serie A, so it’s good that we can adapt to Italian football. We’ve got players who can bring that experience to the team and help the younger members.”

Considering the number of current and former Milan players in the side, did they get to reminisce?

“Yes, we spoke about Milanello, about Michele, the stadium. It’s amazing, everybody knows, but Milan need to get back to winning. They haven’t had a great situation for a few years now, but hopefully that can change soon.”

When Van Bommel left the Rossoneri in 2012, he said that he would love to return one day as their coach.

“Let’s wait,” he smiled. “Let’s play the Nations League, then the Euros, then we’ll see. I know the club, a huge club, but this is not a question for now.”