Kevin De Bruyne
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has explained why he started Kevin De Bruyne in Belgium’s game against Italy on Friday night. The Manchester City playmaker was forced to limp off the pitch in the second half of his nation’s Round of 16 game at the European Championship, but he’s now been deemed fit enough to start for Belgium’s quarter-final fixture against Italy. That knock was just the latest injury the 30-year-old had to endure after he suffered an acute nose bone fracture and left orbital fracture in the Champions League final, but he’s since made a stylish return to provide Belgium with some excellent displays. De Bruyne is arguably Belgium’s most important player and Martinez explained his selection ahead of Friday’s contest, despite this week’s injury concerns.
Roberto Mancini said: “Kevin De Bruyne has not trained with the group. But you add that to a tournament. We look forward to seeing him play. De Bruyne has received treatment. The focus was on him yesterday, on both [De Bruyne and Hazard] actually. Both have had an individual medical day. De Bruyne reacted well, his injury is also slightly different from Eden’s. Kevin is different. We got good light and that was fantastic news this morning. We think he can start the match.”
Belgium were in superb form in the Euro 2020 group stages, winning all three of their games to breeze through to the round fo 16. Thorgan Hazard’s first-half strike against Portugal then put them through to a quarter-final clash with Italy, who needed extra time to get past Austria in the last round.
