The Stade de France will stage a Nations League meeting on Monday night without two of Belgium’s central figures. Kevin De Bruyne and captain Youri Tielemans are both suspended for the 20:45 clash with France after picking up bookings against Turkey.
Key takeaways
- De Bruyne scored twice as Belgium beat Turkey 3-0 in their third Nations League match.
- The Belgian playmaker was booked in the 80th minute, triggering a suspension after his second caution of the international window.
- Tielemans will also miss Monday’s game after receiving a yellow card around the half-hour mark against Turkey.
- Both Belgium regulars had started each of Mark Van Bommel’s first three matches in charge.
- France defender Dayot Upamecano is suspended as well after his dismissal in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Italy.
Belgium lose two leaders for France trip
Belgium’s 3-0 victory over Turkey came with a heavy price. De Bruyne was the decisive man on Friday, producing a fine brace to drive the Red Devils to a comfortable win, but his late yellow card means he cannot take part in the return against France.
The caution, shown in the 80th minute, was De Bruyne’s second during the current international window. Under the competition’s disciplinary rules, it brings an automatic ban for the match at the Stade de France.
Tielemans is in the same position. Belgium’s captain was booked after roughly 30 minutes against Turkey, having already been cautioned in the previous meeting with France, a 1-0 defeat on Monday.
Van Bommel’s selection reshaped
The absences remove two experienced starters from Mark Van Bommel’s plans. De Bruyne and Tielemans had both begun all three of the coach’s opening games in charge, leaving Belgium without their chief creator and captain for a demanding away fixture.
France will also be forced into at least one change. Upamecano was sent off during the 1-1 draw against Italy on Friday and is consequently unavailable for Monday’s Nations League contest.
