Sometimes a football player’s body language during a press conference conveys how he is feeling. If this is the case for Kevin De Bruyne (32), it is a good sign for the Euro. Very relaxed, he answered all questions whole-heartedly. His 15 months of absence due to injuries did not satisfy his hunger to play for the Devils. “The day I am no longer hungry, I will no longer be here”he said.
Is it good to be back, Kevin?
”Yes, I’m happy to be here. I had injuries at bad times. But I want to play this Euro.”
Are you 100% and will you play all three group matches? You played few full matches at City.
”I think I’m 100%, yes. I played the last 12 games with City. It’s true that I haven’t played all the matches in full, but I haven’t often played 12 matches in my career. We had a very busy schedule, but for example I played the full 90 minutes against Chelsea (1-0 in the FA Cup), whereas three days before, I had more than 90 minutes in my legs against Real Madrid (he came out in the 112th, City lost after the penalty shootout). Physically, I feel good. I know how Pep Guardiola works: anyone can be a victim of his changes.”
gullBefore calling Witsel back, the coach asked my opinion. I was excited.”
Is your collaboration the same with Domenico Tedesco?
”It’s not comparable. Pep doesn’t talk much with the players. At City, there are five of us players who set the limits for the other players. The rules here are stricter, partly because the group is younger. It’s a little more German. But Tedesco has very open communication with the players. He asks our opinion, he talks a lot with us.”
Is the pressure the same in the national team as at City?
“No, I do not think so (laughs). But there is also pressure. The country may be expecting more from us after the departure of some experienced players.”
One of the elders – Axel Witsel – returned.
”The coach asked me for my opinion and finally he decided to go find Axel. I was enthusiastic. It’s very important that he is there, since we have fewer people in defense. The fact that he returned to his 35th birthday after two fabulous years with Atlético says a lot about his mentality. He deserves to be in the selection.”
Thibaut Courtois, on the other hand, did not find common ground with Tedesco. Did you see his Champions League final?
”The first half. I obviously prefer that all the best players are present in the national team. But I don’t know the details of this file. I was not here. If both sides want to find a solution, they will. Since Thibaut is not there, we have to trust our three other goalkeepers, who are also very good.”
And what about the young people in the group? Their style of music doesn’t bother you?
”No, it’s not a problem (laughs). As soon as you’re in the group, you feel like a child. Sometimes I’m still 20 years old.”
You know you saw Bakayoko win your 2018 KDB Cup with Anderlecht?
”No, I didn’t know this anecdote. I know some of them played in the KDB Cup, but I don’t know exactly who and when.”
The kid you know best is Doku. Has he progressed after a season at City?
“Enormously. It’s hard to explain, but every player who comes to City opens their eyes wide like that when they see the way we play and the way the opposition play against us. I don’t think that in Rennes, he came up against double marking, or a team that remained ten behind the ball. He started the season very well, then he was slowed down a little by an injury, but he finished the season strong. He was very strong against big teams like Chelsea, Real Madrid or Manchester United, whether as a starter or coming into the game.”
And you, will you be fresher at the Euro since you missed the first half of the season?
“It’s hard to say. During my six-month absence, I also worked, but differently. In the second round, I still played a lot of matches. City had a very busy schedule. But I feel good. I hope I have enough energy to have a good tournament.”
gullWe’re not big favorites, but there aren’t many opponents who can’t wait to play against us.”
Your last match was in March 2023, when you won in Germany (2-3) after a five-star performance.
“We had some good periods in the first half, but the second half wasn’t that incredible. I believe that the current team is better than the one that played in Germany. There are more automations and the organization is better.”
So you want to get the best result of your career with the national team?
”This would mean that we have to reach the final, given that we played the semi-final of the World Cup in 2018 (laughs) ? The goal is to win the most matches. Are we the big favorite? I do not believe that. But I also don’t think there are many opponents who are eager to play against us. The team seems to me to be ready. I am optimistic.”
What to say about Thomas O’Malley, the City physio who strengthens the Devils’ medical staff at the Euro ?
”He was the one who took care of all my rehabilitation in the gym. It’s easy for me, because he knows my body by heart. But he’s not just here for me, he’s already taken care of all the other Devils. He is one of the physios who will do everything to make the group as fit as possible.”
gullThe first of these 100 matches, I played in front of 5,000 people.”
Let’s finish with this 100th Devils match that you will play against Montenegro.
”Playing my 100th match makes me proud and happy. I could have played more, but injuries decided otherwise. I started at a very young age (Editor’s note: in August 2010, 1-0 defeat in Finland, when he was 19). In the meantime, I participated in all the major tournaments. I experienced some disappointments but above all a lot of great moments, with 2018 as the apotheosis. When I see how everything has changed… My first matches, I played in front of 5,000 people.”
Former Devils say that you became essential after your first goal, during the 0-3 in Serbia.
”I think it was my 4th or 5th match, no (Editor’s note: it was his 6th match in Devils but his 2nd as a starter)? From that campaign onwards, I never left the team. 12 years later, I’m still here. With as much hunger as before my first big tournament.”
