De Bruyne Allowed to Miss Belgium’s Next Nations League Game

Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action during the UEFA Nations League - Group 4 match between Wales and Belgium in Cardiff, Wales, Britain, 11 June 2022. (EPA)
Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action during the UEFA Nations League - Group 4 match between Wales and Belgium in Cardiff, Wales, Britain, 11 June 2022. (EPA)
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De Bruyne Allowed to Miss Belgium’s Next Nations League Game

Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action during the UEFA Nations League - Group 4 match between Wales and Belgium in Cardiff, Wales, Britain, 11 June 2022. (EPA)
Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne in action during the UEFA Nations League - Group 4 match between Wales and Belgium in Cardiff, Wales, Britain, 11 June 2022. (EPA)

Kevin De Bruyne is one of three Belgium players given permission to go off early on holiday after their 1-1 draw with Wales on Saturday, coach Roberto Martinez said.

De Bruyne, Yannick Carrasco and Thomas Meunier have all been allowed to skip the last of this month's four Nations League A Group Four matches, which is away against Poland in Warsaw on Tuesday.

"De Bruyne has given enough, so has Carrasco," Martinez said. "Meunier played two games in quick succession after not playing for three months. We can't force anyone."

However, De Bruyne, who had been critical about having to play in the Nations League this month after a long season with Manchester City, said he would have been happy to continue.

"I have played three matches for almost 90 minutes. Physically I am okay and I would have liked to play the last game against Poland, but it is the decision of the coach," he told reporters.

De Bruyne leaves after Belgium let slip a lead in Cardiff and allowed Wales to equalize in the 86th minute.

"It is a pity about the late equalizer," added De Bruyne. "We were in command at the beginning of the second half, but then we forgot to play football. But with all the changes in the team, it was not the worst performance."

"We lacked rhythm and all the players were fatigued, having already played many matches."

Martinez fumed about Wales' late goal, scored by Brennan Johnson and initially flagged offside but then awarded after a lengthy VAR check.

"A shocking decision," said the Belgian coach, adding that VAR wrongly reversed the linesman's decision.

"The lines don't seem to be parallel, the assistant was completely correct. We were robbed," he told Belgium´s VTM television.



Ancelotti Stays Calm over Future amid Real Madrid Turmoil

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti holds a press conference, in Madrid, Spain, 12 April 2025. (EPA)
Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti holds a press conference, in Madrid, Spain, 12 April 2025. (EPA)
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Ancelotti Stays Calm over Future amid Real Madrid Turmoil

Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti holds a press conference, in Madrid, Spain, 12 April 2025. (EPA)
Real Madrid's head coach Carlo Ancelotti holds a press conference, in Madrid, Spain, 12 April 2025. (EPA)

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has urged patience over questions about his future, insisting everything will be resolved at the end of the season as he looks to steady the team following their heavy Champions League defeat at Arsenal.

After Real's 3-0 loss in the quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, Ancelotti’s position as head coach is once again in the spotlight, with the Italian enduring heavy criticism for his side's disappointing performance.

The Italian's contract at Real runs through to the end of next season.

"I shouldn’t talk about things about my future, because the contract is quite clear. Whatever it is, it will be talked about at the end of the season," Ancelotti told reporters on Saturday.

"The club always supports me, especially in difficult moments."

With a three-goal deficit to overturn at home on Wednesday, Ancelotti believes his side can mount a comeback.

"Every defeat is always the same. When you lose, it’s a difficult time. You have to think about how to bounce back. Concentrate. But fortunately, football is like that... after a defeat, there comes an opportunity," he said.

"We’ll try, we’ll try. The truth is that Real Madrid is the only one that has done it many times. We will try until the last minute. Until the last action. Starting tomorrow."

He admitted Arsenal were the better team at Emirates Stadium.

"Against Arsenal we did less in all aspects, total distance, sprint numbers... everything," he said. "They worked harder."

Real, sitting second in LaLiga on 63 points, four behind leaders Barcelona with eight games remaining, will be desperate for victory at lowly Alaves on Sunday.

"Everyone is thinking about Wednesday, but everything depends on tomorrow’s performance. Because we are still in the fight for the league. We need to play well and win," Ancelotti said. "It’s fundamental to recover the good feelings."