Doku: Stop talking about De Bruyne and Lukaku, we must win | OneFootball

The Belgian national team sensationally squandered their first chance to secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The 1-1 draw away against modest Kazakhstan, second-to-last in Group J, left a deep mark on the environment and among the players. The disappointment over the underwhelming result was openly expressed by Jérémy Doku, the attacking winger for Manchester City, who did not look for excuses at the end of the match.

Belgium, Doku: “People need to stop talking about their absence”

Speaking to broadcaster VTM, Doku harshly criticized the team’s approach to the match, suggesting the tactical preparation was not up to expectations. “We thought they would play with long balls, but instead they opted for short combinations. It was a completely different match compared to the previous one against Wales.” Despite admitting a possible misreading of the opponent, Doku then shifted the focus to the team’s direct responsibility, highlighting the lack of ruthlessness in front of goal: “In the end, if we had simply taken our chances, we would have won,” he concluded.

Doku then issued a real ultimatum to the environment and the media, who have often blamed missed victories on numerous absences, from De Bruyne to Lukaku: “People need to stop talking about their absence. If we need them to win this kind of match [against Kazakhstan], then we won’t achieve anything at the World Cup.” The City winger, finally, doubled down, concluding firmly: “We simply have to win this kind of match, even when we’re away and even when the pitch is artificial.”

Andrea Alati

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.