Mark van Bommel is excited about the opportunity to face Zinedine Zidane and France as he looks to build on Belgium’s promising start in the Nations League.
Belgium kicked off Van Bommel’s tenure with a solid 2-0 victory against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico, with goals from Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio in each half.
This defeat marked only the second time in 40 years that Italy lost at home without scoring two goals, the last occurrence being against Croatia in August 2006.
Van Bommel’s debut was an ideal beginning after taking over for Rudi Garcia post-World Cup, but the real test awaits him at the Stade Roi Baudouin.
France, also under new leadership with Zidane, opened their Nations League campaign with a narrow 1-0 win against Turkiye, thanks to a goal from Kylian Mbappe.
However, Mbappe will miss the upcoming match against Belgium due to a hyperextension of his left knee, a development that disappointed Van Bommel.
“It’s special to coach against a figure like that,” Van Bommel remarked. “He was a phenomenal player, and I once faced him while playing for Barcelona against Real Madrid.”
“If a dribbling move is named after you, it indicates you’ve done something remarkable. He’s an effective coach too!”
“It’s unfortunate that Mbappe won’t be available, as you always want the best players on the pitch against you. I’m not entirely sure about his injury, but I would have preferred him to play.”
Recharge. pic.twitter.com/DsMQHXcXVD
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) September 26, 2026
Belgium’s win over Italy was deserved, with an expected goals (xG) total of 2.76 from 19 shots compared to Italy’s 1.7 from 21 attempts.
Van Bommel aims for his team to keep the same attacking style displayed against Roberto Mancini’s squad.
“I began my coaching role last Monday by stressing the importance of intensity and hard work,” Van Bommel stated. “The approach must remain consistent. While we need to respect the quality of our opponents, it shouldn’t alter our style of play.”
“Being outperformed in a particular moment isn’t a concern as long as every player is clear about their responsibilities.”
After their encounter with France, Belgium will host Turkiye before facing Zidane’s team again at the Stade de France on October 5.
Fan Take: This matchup not only showcases a battle between two of Europe’s top national teams but also sparks excitement around new managerial strategies in international soccer. The absence of Mbappe, while disappointing, highlights the unpredictable nature of the sport, keeping fans engaged and eager to see how each team’s tactics evolve.
Source: www.soccernews.com
