Van Bomel: Facing a coach like Zidane is a special honor
Belgium coach Van Bomel expresses admiration for Zidane and hopes for Mbappe's participation in the match against national teams.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Brussels (Reuters) – New Belgium coach Mark van Bommel is relishing the opportunity to test his abilities against France’s new manager Zinedine Zidane, but he expressed disappointment at the absence of French striker Kylian Mbappe from Monday’s match between the two sides. The game is the second round of Group 1 in League A of the UEFA Nations League.
Van Bommel enjoyed a dream start to his tenure with Belgium, leading his team to a 2-0 away victory over Italy in the opening round on Friday. He said he wants his side to continue the attacking style they displayed in Rome.
“At the press conference, he said: ‘I started (my coaching role) last Monday by focusing on intensity and a strong desire to work. The idea must remain the same. Of course, you have to take the quality of the opponent into account, but that does not change our style of play.’”
He added: “If we lose in a certain situation, that is not a problem. As long as everyone knows what they need to do.”
This will also be Zidane’s second match as a coach, following his first in charge of the French national team, a 1-0 victory in Turkey on Friday, where top scorer Mbappe was sidelined by injury.
Van Bommel said: “It is special to face a coach like him. He was an exceptional player, and I played against him once, with Barcelona against Real Madrid (in La Liga). If a dribbling move is named after you, it means you have done well. As a coach too, of course. He is a good coach, and that is clear.”
The Belgian national team coach added: “I think it is a pity that Mbappe will not be there, because you always want to face the best footballers. I do not know exactly what injury he is suffering from, but I would have liked him to be present.”
The “Les Bleus” captain has since returned to Real Madrid, which announced that he suffered from fatigue in his left knee.
On the eve of his debut as Belgium’s coach, former Dutch international Van Bommel watched his son Robin make his first appearance for the Netherlands, contributing to a dramatic late equalizer against Germany in Amsterdam on Thursday. He commented: “As a father, seeing your son play his first match for the Dutch national team is special in itself. We were watching the game on our phones with a large part of the coaching staff, and then he provided such a decisive assist. That is wonderful. I wished I could have been at the stadium. Then we also beat Italy. It was two great days.”
