Belgium’s midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne has been omitted from the squad for the upcoming friendlies against Ireland and England to ensure his fitness for Manchester City.
According to Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco, De Bruyne is nursing a groin issue, prompting a cautious approach to his involvement with the national team. Tedesco emphasized the importance of having De Bruyne fully fit for the European Championship this summer.
De Bruyne underwent hamstring surgery in August and endured a lengthy absence from action. Since his return in January, City manager Pep Guardiola has carefully managed his workload. Despite recent appearances, including City’s draw with Liverpool, concerns persist about his fitness.
As a precautionary measure, De Bruyne will sit out City’s FA Cup clash with Newcastle and potentially the subsequent league encounter against Arsenal. Tedesco stressed the need to prioritize De Bruyne’s recovery and stated that he would continue rehabilitation with the City.
Regarding goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, despite nearing a return for Real Madrid after a knee injury, his international future remains uncertain. Courtois previously announced his absence from Euro 2024 due to personal reasons, and Tedesco confirmed there were no developments on that front.
Belgium will face Ireland and England in crucial friendlies as part of their Euro 2024 preparations, with Tedesco underlining the importance of these matches despite the absence of key players.
