Mark Van Bommel resists overhaul but forced into changes against France | OneFootball

Mark Van Bommel, usually reluctant to rip things up, must tweak his Belgium side against France on Monday, with Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans suspended for his fourth match in charge at the Stade de France.

According to L'Équipe, eight players started his first three games. Those matches brought a 2-0 win in Italy, a 0-1 defeat to France in Brussels, then a 3-0 home victory over Türkiye.

On 18 September he said he had called up 25 outfielders and three goalkeepers to cover four games in 11 days, yet he has prized continuity. His 4-3-3 is fixed. He wants intensity and an aggressive press, but against France Belgium sat in a mid-block and had 35% possession.

Belgium will keep a flat back four. Joaquin Seys is due to replace Maxim De Cuyper at left-back, with Lammens in goal, Castagne at right-back and Ngoy alongside Mechele in the centre. Changes are not anticipated.

Midfield is where the disruption bites. Hans Vanaken is set to take the armband in Tielemans’ absence and operate as the relay. Nicolas Raskin should patrol the right side, with Romeo Lavia again in the holding role. Mandela Keita, who worked with Van Bommel at Antwerp in 2023-2024, could come on.

Up front, Godts struggled against Türkiye and De Ketelaere missed chances as a centre-forward, though from the right he set up Romelu Lukaku for 3-0. Loïs Openda and Malick Fofana came on at 82. Leandro Trossard’s return after two games out adds another option, while a Lukaku start would be a surprise given his limited minutes at Fenerbahçe this season.

Source: L'Équipe

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