Belgium without Lukaku, Bruyne against France, Italy

FE Team | Published: October 04, 2024 21:57:24

BRUSSELS, Oct 04 (AP): Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco called up four new players Friday for upcoming games against Italy and France in the Nations League while leaving out stalwarts Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne.
Malick Fofana, Cyril Ngonge, Matte Smets and Maarten Vandevoordt are the quartet of newcomers. Tedesco said the Nations League is the right tournament to test players.
"We will not do it during the important World Cup qualification," he said.
Belgium plays Italy the Stadio Olimpico in Rome next week before hosting France. Italy tops the group with six points ahead of Belgium and France, which are tied with three points each. Israel is in last place having lost its first two matches.
Tedesco said he spoke with the injured De Bruyne over the phone and that the Manchester City midfielder "is very motivated" to continue playing for the national team and to play at the next World Cup. The Belgium captain did not hide his frustration last month during Belgium's 2-0 defeat to France in Lyon in the Nations League, raising questions about his commitment to the team.
"He asked us to be out for this camp and also before the November camp to take care of his body," Tedesco said.