Kevin de Bruyne sidesteps questions over fans’ boos after Belgium’s draw with Ukraine
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Kevin de Bruyne appears to have instructed his teammates not to head over to applaud Belgium supporters who were booing after the game.
PHOTO: AFP
STUTTGART – Belgium fans booed and whistled their side after a dour 0-0 Euro 2024 draw with Ukraine on June 26 that set up a last-16 tie against France, and more jeers rained down when captain Kevin de Bruyne was announced as the Man of the Match.
But the Manchester City midfielder gave a muted reply when asked about the supporters’ hostile reaction, which other sides – in particular Gareth Southgate’s lacklustre England team – have also received from their fans in Germany.
“We tried to win the match and up to the 90th minute, we had goalscoring opportunities,” he said.
“And we know that we can concede a goal just like with England (when they conceded a 95th-minute equaliser in a 2-2 friendly draw in March), and when that happens, then you’re out of the Euro.
“It’s a shame that we didn’t manage to score before, when we did have opportunities. And afterwards, we just need our fans. We gave it all during the three matches, the team ran until the 95th minute, everybody wants to win the matches and we did try to do this on the pitch.”
De Bruyne, in his role as skipper, had seemingly instructed his teammates not to head over to applaud the supporters after the game. He was making his way towards the Belgium fans behind the goal before appearing to change his mind as the whistling and booing intensified at the Stuttgart Arena.
The scoreless draw left Belgium second in Group E, in which all four teams ended with four points.
Romania took top spot ahead of the Belgians after scoring more goals in the group following their 1-1 draw with Slovakia, who also go through as one of the four best third-placed sides.
War-torn Ukraine’s brave run came to an agonising end as they became the first team since the tournament expanded to 24 teams not to progress with four points.
While Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco understood the fans’ frustration, he backed his players’ cautious performance. With all four sides on three points at the start, there was no room for error.
It was the first time ever at the European Championship that four teams in the same group had gone into the final round of games locked on the same number of points.
“We knew today we couldn’t fail,” he said of the scenario.
“The players tried everything. We can score earlier, we can score more, then many things are easier. But I’m proud of my team because they did well at the end – if you concede one goal, you are out.
“This group was tougher than many thought. On paper, you can be favourites, but these teams have absolutely nothing to lose. If the fans are whistling, we have to accept. We can’t be disappointed.”
De Bruyne had spoken to an official midway through the game after a laser pointer from someone in the crowd was repeatedly aimed at his face.
“Of course, I’m aware of it,” Tedesco added of the incident.
“Everything is happening here. And everything is allowed. We can have a delay of one hour (en route to the game due to traffic), they don’t postpone the match. They can laser point us, whatever.
“So many things and we can still qualify. This is for me the most important thing. That’s why I’m really proud.”
Asked about his plan for taking on 2022 World Cup runners-up France in the last 16, Tedesco said: “We go to win. We are here and qualified for this Euro to be part of the best teams.
“Now we face a top team, that’s why we qualified, otherwise we could stay at home.” REUTERS, AFP
