Kevin leads the Red Devils. With Lukaku, Courtois and Witsel he is looking for his first national title
Kevin De Bruyne and the large troop of over thirty by Rudi Garcia they are ready to tear up the piece of paper with “rhetoric” written on it and throw it down from the top floor of the Space Needle in Seattle, the home chosen by Belgium to prepare for a World Cup where farewells will fly. “At this point in my career I know that I will no longer be able to enjoy tournaments like this,” the Napoli star said yesterday.
Last chance
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There Belgian “golden generation” of KDB, Lukaku, Courtoisbut also gods Witsel and gods Meuniergot tired of hearing that “it’s not important what you feel at the end of a run, but what you feel while you run”, because the last World Cup of life must coincide with a victory. The Belgium of talents, that of “has never been so strong” and of “if he doesn’t win now when will he win?”, has so far collected only a third place in Russia in 2018. Out in the quarterfinals in Brazil in 2014, out in the group stage in Qatar in 2022. Added to these are the quarterfinals of Euro 2016 and 2021 and the round of 16 in 2024. No title for the golden generation, which in the meantime, between championships and Champions League, has often achieved wonders with the clubs. Garcia leads the European national team with multiple World Cups under its belt without ever winning one: the debut is set for tomorrow at the Seattle Stadium against Egypt (21 Italian teams). Completing the affordable group are Iran and New Zealand. He will be there between the posts Courtois34 years old, who a couple of days ago revealed that after the World Cup he could also leave the national team after 109 appearances. Garcia brought Senne LammensUnited’s regular, and 20-year-old Mike Penderswhich has yet to debut. Days ago he was rejected from the hotel bar: in the USA the minimum age for alcohol is 21. A warning in case of victory in the World Cup.
Ransom
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De Bruyne and Lukaku look each other in the eyes, scrutinize each other, embrace and encourage each other in their retreat in Renton, Washington State, a handful of kilometers from Seattle. The one just ended was not “An excellent year”, quoting the film by Ridley Scott with the usual Russell Crowe: KDB he’s still cursing that damned penalty – scored – against Inter which forced him to a penaltytop of over 4 months (right hamstring injury), while Big Rom he landed in the States after long-distance arguments with Conte – to whom he apologized – and the poor 64 minutes total in the season. Garcia has reiterated it several times: he will be the starter up front De Ketelaere from Bruges, deployed as false 9. So far only six goals for the national team for him. Among the “Italians” present also De Winter, reserve, and Saelemaekers, who for the coach is a sort of Florenzi encore. Rudi’s treatment regenerated him.
Stella Doku
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Garcia will cling to the creativity of the boy from Antwerp. Under “dribbling” there is the unscrupulous face of Jeremy Dokuwho a few days ago had half the country worried due to a physical problem. Nothing serious: should lead the attack against Egypt. However, it must be said that the Manchester City winger has not yet scored a goal between the World Cup and European Championships: six appearances without flashes. He has scored seven times for the national team, including twice against Kazakhstan, the same number against Liechtenstein, then Wales, Belarus and Iceland (the latter two between 2020 and 2021). In short, there are some doubts related to leadership. The last note is on the heat. The Belgians, holed up in Seattle, surrounded by forests, with milder temperatures, hoped to be more peaceful. Not really: on the day they will challenge Egypt – at midday local time… – a temperature not seen since 1963 is expected: around 34 degrees. The stadium is “uncovered”, but has air conditioning. Better than nothing.
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