Despite Belgium’s opening World Cup win over Canada, Kevin De Bruyne was seething. Manchester City’s midfield star is not happy, neither with himself nor with the “Red Devils”. “As a team we have to be braver, also on the ball. I adapted to the level of the entire team and that wasn’t enough. I expect a lot more,” said the 31-year-old on Friday at the Belgian training camp.
Belgium started the tournament in Qatar on Wednesday with a happy 1-0 win over outsiders Canada. The next opponent is Morocco on Sunday at 2 p.m. Veteran De Bruyne, his nation’s most valuable player, had already caused a stir on Wednesday when he, too, was irritated by the surprising choice for player of the game. “I’m surprised I’m sitting here. I played badly,” De Bruyne said.
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World Cup 2022: Belgium’s De Bruyne self-critical – wants to work on reactions
In Belgium, his gestures and frustrated demeanor caused discussions during the game. “I know that my reactions are not always good. I have to work on it,” De Bruyne admitted, but also admitted his frustration: “We can’t play like Manchester City. As a national team you have to adapt to the players you have. Does that frustrate me sometimes? Yes, that’s the way it is.”
In addition, De Bruyne warned that the national team had not been playing at the level of 2018 for some time. At that time, Belgium had achieved the greatest national football success with third place at the World Cup in Russia. “It worries me because I know the team has enough potential. I hope our level will rise,” said De Bruyne. At the finals in Qatar, Belgium have the ninth-highest squad worth €563.20m.
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