3-0 against Turkey at Sclessin. Three games, three wins for Mark van Bommel. That’s historic. I’m weighing my words.
And then I opened the Sunday Devils WhatsApp group. My brother-in-law had already posted the bad news: Kevin De Bruyne picked up a yellow, he’s suspended for France, and so is Youri Tielemans. Two at once. That’s a disgrace. I’m weighing my words on that one too.
In the group, the question went round fast: did he do it on purpose? The manager said no, according to remarks quoted by Sporza, the Flemish public broadcaster. “Kevin was simply frustrated and, I think, he didn’t even realise.” And also: “He’s in a fantastic rhythm and he’s enjoying himself, so he really did not take that yellow card on purpose.”
A fantastic rhythm and enjoyment. The group is in a good place, you can tell. I’m not saying that because I’m a fan. Well, I am.
The best part is what comes next: “We’re already missing Youri against France. Let me put it this way: I got a lot of unnecessary cards in my career and this was one of them too.” A manager who says “unnecessary” about his own player and about himself in the same breath. Now that’s honesty. Historic, really. Well, not bad.
My dressing room doesn’t need VAR, it has the club delegate. And the delegate counts the yellows before I do.
So my thermometer says both. Historic win, disgraceful suspensions, reassuring explanation. The Devils travel to France on Monday evening. I’ve already hung the shirt out to dry. Now we take it one game at a time, you know.
It’s true, we checked: VoetbalPrimeur.be.
