Lavia and Al-Dakhil finally back after months of hardship
Highly visible with Chelsea in recent weeks after several complicated months due to various injuries, Romeo Lavia is also making his return to the Devils. The young midfielder had only played one match in the Belgian jacket. It was during the victory in Germany for Tedesco’s very first match in charge of the national team.
“When we see how Romeo Lavia has returned to his level in the last few matches, it’s impressive. It’s not so easy to play such an important role with Chelsea in these conditions. He showed that he is very strong and that motivated us to do it again this time,” he explains.
Same thing for ex-standarman Ameen Al-Dakhil, who had not been seen with Belgium for almost a year due to a muscle injury. “Like Lavia, he took a while to come back. We are in contact with his trainer and the impression he leaves is good.”
Seys, a new face among the Devils
This gathering will, on the other hand, be the very first for Joaquin Seys (Club Bruges), impressive against Aston Villa this Wednesday in the Champions League. The 19-year-old left-back was preferred to Anderlecht’s Killian Sardella, who was pre-selected but did not make the final list.
“Seys is a versatile full-back, who plays left-footed but plays on the right. We had already thought about him at the previous meeting but wanted to wait to see his development. He gave us the right answer by playing with personality and a lot of intensity”, explains Domenico Tedesco about the young Bruges native.
Tielemans not taken back but on the field this weekend? “Don’t be surprised”
In addition to Kevin De Bruyne, whose absence had already been confirmed in October, Tedesco must also deal with the injury withdrawals of Youri Tielemans, Thomas Meunier, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Yannick Carrasco.
“Youri will probably play this weekend, so don’t be surprised. He’s been dealing with knee problems since the France game and it’s not getting any better. He needs two weeks off and he’s decided that this truce was the right time,” explains Tedesco.
Tedesco wants to “win both matches”
Belgium (3rd, 4 points) can still hope to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Nations League. She will have to go 6 out of 6 against Italy (1st, 10 points) and Israel (4th, 0 points) and hope that Italy or France (2nd, 9 points) lose their two matches.
“We want to win both games, and especially beat Italy at home. And we will see what happens. It does not only depend on us but on our opponents as well. We will have to do our job first and then see what the others are doing but if there is a small possibility of qualifying for the quarter-finals, we will do everything to be there,” assures the national coach.
Here are the 23 Devils selected:
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