Indisputable holder of Belgium, Amadou Onana will play his third group match during this Euro on Wednesday against Ukraine (6 p.m.), with the threat of a second warning which would deprive him of a potential 8th final. The former LOSC midfielder, who has been playing for two seasons at Everton (Premier League), where he meets daily with his Ukrainian teammate, left back Vitali Mikolenko, will put things into perspective without obscuring the context of the war with Russia.
« Your club teammate Vitali Mikolenko warned on Monday that he was going to push you to your limits…
I’m very happy to hear it. He’s a partner I’m close to. I like him. But for ninety minutes, we won’t be friends tomorrow. (Wednesday). I still wish him good luck.
Can we feel compassion when playing against Ukraine, engaged in a war against Russia?
Yes. I am quite sensitive to these subjects. I have compassion for every oppressed population in the world. Any human loss is a disaster for humanity. I don’t condone. Now, tomorrow (Wednesday), I will concentrate on my task which is to achieve our objective of qualifying for the round of 16. But I am someone who does not like any form of injustice. And I always will be.
You will play with Orel Mangala or Youri Tielemans at your side. What changes one or the other profile in the starting eleven in the middle?
I don’t have to adapt much either way. They are two world-class players who make my job easier and with whom I have fun on the pitch. But it is a choice of the coach which does not depend on me. I would have no trouble playing with either one. We do everything in the collective interest.
“I have matured. Maybe I read the game a little better than before”
At the 2022 World Cup, you were unable to play the third group match against Croatia (0-0, elimination in the first round) due to suspension. Were you frustrated by it?
I was waiting for that one. It’s an experience that made me grow. It was quite difficult to watch the match against Croatia from the stands. This is an area that I have worked on a lot. I have matured. Maybe I read the game a little better than before. We need everyone in the group. And I’m happy so far.
Would you like to be kept informed of Slovakia-Romania during your match against Ukraine (all teams have three points, a first in Euro history)?
Not especially. It can take some concentration. Everyone knows what they have to do. We want to give everything and pass this first round. That’s what matters most. »
