Belgian player Youri Tielemans gave an interview before the match
In the third round of the UEFA Nations League A, Italy will face Belgium. Before the match, Belgian player Youri Tielemans gave an interview.
On being appointed captain by coach Tedesco
Tielemans, smiling, said: “The coach told the whole team on Monday that I would be captain. Every time I get to be captain, I feel proud. Since I’ve been here the longest, it makes sense for the coach to choose me. As captain, at least I can communicate with the referee, which is a positive thing. I try to be like a second coach on the pitch, lead by example, and protect the team when needed.”
On how De Bruyne’s comments after the last match against France affected him
Tielemans: “Look, it caused some buzz, but Kevin was simply saying that not all of us players have the same level of talent and that we haven’t shown the same strength on the international stage as we did in 2018. I think everyone agrees with that. It’s not necessarily negative. If he says everyone needs to give their best and support each other, I don’t see anything negative in that. Plus, when Kevin said these things, he was expressing some frustration and emotion.”
On whether he would have handled the situation differently
Tielemans: “I wouldn’t have said it that way to the media. I might not have been as open to the public. But Kevin had already said these things within the team, and he didn’t care if they got out. We have a young team, and maybe they prefer to keep such matters internal.”
Not everyone thought De Bruyne’s comments were positive?
Tielemans: “Yes, but… within the team, he reiterated his points in a constructive way, and everyone understood. That’s where it ended.”
You often express your emotions on the pitch in French, right?
Tielemans: “Usually, yes. It’s my native language.”
On his reaction when he was substituted in the match against France
Tielemans: “No one likes being subbed off. It’s part of my emotional side. Besides, I wasn’t satisfied with my performance or the team’s performance. To clarify, I wasn’t angry at anyone or a specific person, even though some people wrote or said otherwise. I don’t get angry at people unless they’ve done something wrong to me.”
Afterward, you had a phone conversation with the coach
Tielemans: “He explained that he subbed me off because I had a yellow card. He actually wanted me to stay on the pitch because I was still executing his game plan well and trying to push the team forward without the ball. Of course, we also discussed some of the media comments. It was a constructive conversation, and I felt a lot of trust because he called me.”
Next, you will face Italy after playing France on Monday. Do you know when Belgium last beat Italy?
Tielemans (sighing): “Oh, I can tell you the last time we played them. It was in 2021, also in the Nations League. We lost in the third-place playoff.”
Belgium last beat Italy in 1972. Back then, in Anderlecht, Belgium won 2-1, with Van Himst scoring the winning goal.
Tielemans (laughs): “He’s the best.”
Do you know when Belgium last beat France?
Tielemans: “That shouldn’t be as long ago, right?”
It was in 1981. Now Belgium is aiming to break these losing streaks without De Bruyne and Lukaku, right?
Tielemans: “It’s certainly going to be difficult, but that’s football, right? I’m now the most experienced player in the team, but I don’t feel old. I feel good within the team. I’m only 27.”
You have 21 matches to play before the new year. How do you view this busy schedule?
Tielemans: “The PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) said at the start of the season, ‘If games can’t go ahead on time for any reason, there’s almost no room in the schedule to reschedule them.’ We need to make good use of recovery time, but that’s limited. I think we’re already very close to the limit. Look at the number of injuries early in the season. These injuries usually aren’t from playing, but often muscle injuries.”
Do you see international breaks as a burden?
Tielemans: “I’m still happy to be here, especially now that I have the chance to be captain. Maybe one day in the future, I might ask the coach not to call me up for a few matches, but that’s not the case right now. I still feel good.”
On being appointed captain by coach Tedesco
Tielemans, smiling, said: “The coach told the whole team on Monday that I would be captain. Every time I get to be captain, I feel proud. Since I’ve been here the longest, it makes sense for the coach to choose me. As captain, at least I can communicate with the referee, which is a positive thing. I try to be like a second coach on the pitch, lead by example, and protect the team when needed.”
On how De Bruyne’s comments after the last match against France affected him
Tielemans: “Look, it caused some buzz, but Kevin was simply saying that not all of us players have the same level of talent and that we haven’t shown the same strength on the international stage as we did in 2018. I think everyone agrees with that. It’s not necessarily negative. If he says everyone needs to give their best and support each other, I don’t see anything negative in that. Plus, when Kevin said these things, he was expressing some frustration and emotion.”
On whether he would have handled the situation differently
Tielemans: “I wouldn’t have said it that way to the media. I might not have been as open to the public. But Kevin had already said these things within the team, and he didn’t care if they got out. We have a young team, and maybe they prefer to keep such matters internal.”
Not everyone thought De Bruyne’s comments were positive?
Tielemans: “Yes, but… within the team, he reiterated his points in a constructive way, and everyone understood. That’s where it ended.”
You often express your emotions on the pitch in French, right?
Tielemans: “Usually, yes. It’s my native language.”
On his reaction when he was substituted in the match against France
Tielemans: “No one likes being subbed off. It’s part of my emotional side. Besides, I wasn’t satisfied with my performance or the team’s performance. To clarify, I wasn’t angry at anyone or a specific person, even though some people wrote or said otherwise. I don’t get angry at people unless they’ve done something wrong to me.”
Afterward, you had a phone conversation with the coach
Tielemans: “He explained that he subbed me off because I had a yellow card. He actually wanted me to stay on the pitch because I was still executing his game plan well and trying to push the team forward without the ball. Of course, we also discussed some of the media comments. It was a constructive conversation, and I felt a lot of trust because he called me.”
Next, you will face Italy after playing France on Monday. Do you know when Belgium last beat Italy?
Tielemans (sighing): “Oh, I can tell you the last time we played them. It was in 2021, also in the Nations League. We lost in the third-place playoff.”
Belgium last beat Italy in 1972. Back then, in Anderlecht, Belgium won 2-1, with Van Himst scoring the winning goal.
Tielemans (laughs): “He’s the best.”
Do you know when Belgium last beat France?
Tielemans: “That shouldn’t be as long ago, right?”
It was in 1981. Now Belgium is aiming to break these losing streaks without De Bruyne and Lukaku, right?
Tielemans: “It’s certainly going to be difficult, but that’s football, right? I’m now the most experienced player in the team, but I don’t feel old. I feel good within the team. I’m only 27.”
You have 21 matches to play before the new year. How do you view this busy schedule?
Tielemans: “The PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) said at the start of the season, ‘If games can’t go ahead on time for any reason, there’s almost no room in the schedule to reschedule them.’ We need to make good use of recovery time, but that’s limited. I think we’re already very close to the limit. Look at the number of injuries early in the season. These injuries usually aren’t from playing, but often muscle injuries.”
Do you see international breaks as a burden?
Tielemans: “I’m still happy to be here, especially now that I have the chance to be captain. Maybe one day in the future, I might ask the coach not to call me up for a few matches, but that’s not the case right now. I still feel good.”
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