Kevin De Bruyne
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has claimed that Kevin De Bruyne has fully recovered from his injury and is in ‘perfect condition’ ahead of their key Euro 2020 last 16 clash with Portugal on Sunday. Martinez stated that both De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, as well as midfielder Axel Witsel have all fully recovered from their respective injuries.
Roberto Martinez said: “We´ve got real good momentum. I feel that (Kevin) is in the perfect physical condition to go into this game. And I could say the same for Axel Witsel and Eden Hazard. These three players were the three players that were not available for the friendlies (before Euro 2020).”
The Belgium coach suggested that the players used the group stage games to get up to speed, and now believes they are ready ahead of their last 16 game against Portugal.
Roberto Martinez said: “It’s been really good during the group phase, we won the nine points and we got every player ready to play. And that is how I feel that we are going to Seville, everyone is ready.”
De Bruyne arrived at the Belgium camp ahead of the tournament still recovering from a facial injury sustained in the UEFA Champions League Final in Porto. The City midfielder missed Belgium’s opener against Russia, however made an instant impact in their second game coming off the bench at half-time to grab a goal and assist.
Roberto Martinez said: “Kevin will have a normal role, an influential role. He´s not a player that needs to play in a certain position. (We need) to give him that opportunity to be the playmaker.”
