This is an element that seems trivial, but could be important. Belgium will play its match against Ukraine with a deficit of thirty hours of recovery. The Ukrainians actually played their match against Slovakia last Friday at 3 p.m., when the Red Devils played the next day at 9 p.m. At the end of a match in Cologne, where the intensity was quite high, it was important for the Belgian staff to insist on recovery.
On Monday, two days after the victory against the Romanians, the starters had a lighter training session than the substitutes, as has become a habit over time. Theate and Vertonghen will have to play two matches in five days after being on the sidelines for over a month. The heat could also be important. On Tuesday, the thermometer rose to 28 degrees during the day. On Wednesday, however, the temperature could drop again, with thunderstorms even forecast to cool the atmosphere.
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Onana’s Recovery Mask
But Domenico Tedesco brushed aside the concerns: “We didn’t have a long journey, unlike the Ukrainians. We were able to stay “at home”, sleeping in our beds, when Ukrainians had to travel. This is also part of the recovery we had, and it compensates. Three days between the two matches is enough in my opinion.” Ukraine, whose base camp is located in Wiesbaden, 215 kilometers from Stuttgart, had to travel very early this Tuesday due in particular to the press conference scheduled for 3:45 p.m.
Freshness will therefore not be a concern, and even less so for Amadou Onana, whose recovery method has questioned. On his social networks, the Everton midfielder had posted a photo of himself, with an oxygen mask. Hyperbare oxygen therapy (HBOT)allows the body to absorb 12.5 times more oxygen”, explained Onana. This method promotes greater recovery – “It works miracles”noted the player – and reduces the risk of injury.
In Germany, the federation has made the equipment available for players who wish to use it. Romelu Lukaku, in particular, uses it.
Tedesco is confident but is not going to provoke destiny: “I will not sing Brabançonne against Ukraine because we lost when I did”
