2023-11-03 20:00:00
A few days before the last gathering of 2023 and a few months before the Euro in Germany, the national coach received us in Tubize. Relaxed, he did not avoid any subject. Not even the Thibaut Courtois file. He spoke at length regarding the Courtois case. – Dominique Duchesnes By Guillaume Raedts Journalist specializing in Sporting Anderlecht Published on 03/11/2023 at 7:00 p.m.
The black suit is tight and the smile is not forced. While Belgium entered the fall straight away, Domenico Tedesco decided to treat himself to a “media day” to discuss this Euro 2024 for which he qualified the Red Devils but also the long process that he has started since his appointment in mid-February at the head of the Belgian selection. And also to talk regarding the most difficult case he has to manage: Thibaut Courtois.
In June, unhappy at not having had the armband once morest Austria and claiming a knee injury, the Real Madrid goalkeeper walked away and never showed up to take the plane to Estonia. Enough to annoy Domenico Tedesco who had made his wrath known in the hours following this episode.
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Since then, and while a visit by the coach to Madrid was planned following a “mine clearance” mission by the Frank Vercauteren-Manu Leroy duo, Courtois seriously injured his knee. So here is the matter on “stand-by”. But not closed. Tedesco says it and affirms it: “The doors are wide open for Thibaut. » But we feel that the national coach – just like part of the core as Timothy Castagne told us in an interview – is expecting a gesture from the one he himself describes as the “best”.
Domenico Tedesco, let’s start by looking back at this sad evening of November 16 and this match once morest Sweden stopped at half-time following the terrorist attack which led to the death of two Swedish supporters. How did you experience this evening?
At halftime I wasn’t aware of the situation. We were in the locker room and I was talking to the players regarding some tactical elements to change. We were ready to come out of the locker room when we were arrested and informed of the events. I quickly understood that the words I had said to the players two minutes earlier no longer had any importance. The Swedish players came to us explaining that they were no longer able to play. We totally understood.
Especially since you had secured the essentials three days earlier in Austria by securing your ticket for the Euro in Germany…
I am very happy with this qualification. We managed to validate our ticket in a difficult group and with two days to go. We knew there were very good teams. And this was confirmed in Austria, Sweden and even Azerbaijan. You will see that the teams which will face Austria at the Euro will not have an easy match.
An opponent once morest whom you didn’t particularly want to have the ball since you preferred to speculate on the speed of your wingers and your attackers. Is this the plan you have in mind to face the biggest nations at the Euro?
This match was specific. There are few national teams that press as high and as intense as Austria. They have a group where the players have known each other for many years. All with a coach, Ralf Rangnick, who developed counter-pressing.
According to you, it was only a “one shot”…
What matters to me is flexibility during matches: press intensely then be more patient, keep the ball or leave it. In general, my idea is to press as high as possible to recover the ball quickly. We want the ball. But when you have him, it’s not just to keep him and pass in defense. We want to score. This is my primary wish.
What are the main positive points since the start of your mandate?
What I really like regarding Belgium is the atmosphere that reigns in the group. She’s really good. Everyone knows that they can enjoy being there, that we can laugh and make jokes. But there are very clear rules. When you are on the field or in a video session, you have to be focused and disciplined. What also satisfies me is that we had some uncertainties at the start: who would play left back? Can we evolve with a four-man defense? How would some young players behave? Today, we have some answers and that is a very good thing.
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We understand that there are still unanswered questions. In what aspects does Belgium need to improve?
On several points. It feels like we’ve been working since March. But, in fact, we experienced four gatherings lasting ten days. That’s forty days. It’s a little over a month. Until now, we haven’t had the time or the possibilities to test certain things. We should be able to do it once morest Serbia in November. We won’t do anything crazy but we have to use this match to try things for the Euro.
With this in mind of the Euro, do you have the desire to face a great nation in March?
We might at least face one. It’s always useful. This can allow you to have a good feeling in the event of a victory or a good performance. This can also serve as a wake-up call for players. In both cases, it is beneficial. I remember a match between Germany and Italy where I was in the stadium. Germany largely won once morest Antonio Conte’s team in Munich (Editor’s note: 4-1 on March 29, 2016). This did not prevent Italy from having a good Euro in France. Nor Germany which reached the semi-final.
A slap might still raise doubts, particularly in a defensive sector already singled out for the number of chances conceded…
We only conceded four goals during qualifying. And I hope it stays there in the last match once morest Azerbaijan. Conceding chances is normal. And when you concede a goal, there is no individual culprit. It’s happening collectively. For example, we should never have conceded this goal from Gyökeres once morest Sweden. We had, at least, five moments during this phase where we should have done better defensively. First by not losing the ball. If you lose it, you can start counter-pressing. If this is not possible, you can resume your position. If this is also impossible, you may make a mistake. Defending is a bit like a human pyramid: you have the first floor, then the second, then the third and so on to recover from the initial mistake. On this Swedish goal, each floor failed.
At the level of individual cases, there are many questions surrounding Wout Faes. Guilty of some glaring errors and yet the only item to have 100% playtime with you. Enlighten us…
Wout is doing fantastic qualifying. In March he was chosen to face Sweden and put in a superb performance. He has many qualities. We can count on him. You know, when you show him something, he’s able to reproduce it on the field very quickly. He also has this ability to improve very quickly when you make a comment to him.
We have the impression that a large part of your group is already established for the Euro. Are we wrong?
You are right. That’s my feeling too. I have a group that played the qualifiers and showed things in Sweden and Austria. Or once morest Austria at home. We can count on this group. Obviously, it’s a process, nothing is certain and there will be no gifts but these players have credit. For a large number of them, it is quite clear in the minds of the staff. But we still have a few questions for three, four or five places in the core.
This confirms that it will be very complicated for thirty-somethings like Toby Alderweireld, Thorgan Hazard or Dries Mertens to return to the core…
Age doesn’t come into play. We look at player positions and club performances. Toby Alderweireld has retired from international football and has given his reasons. Thorgan Hazard is a different subject. He’s a great player but we have fantastic elements in his position. We are talking regarding Doku, Lukebakio, Bakayoko or Carrasco. It’s not easy to compete with them. It is not a choice once morest Thorgan but in favor of others. But there are still more than six months before the Euros, so a lot can still happen.
It will be all the more complicated for the offensive profiles as one man will return in March: Kevin De Bruyne. Is it difficult to prepare for this Euro without him?
It would have been better if Kevin had been with us at all the gatherings. We will always have a special place for him. He is our captain and one of the most important players on and off the field. We can’t wait to see him once more.
During the last matches, you looked for your ideal “back-up” by trying Carrasco, Trossard or even De Ketelaere in the center. Who has the best profile to replace him?
Finding a replacement for Kevin is impossible. He is special. It wouldn’t be fair to ask anyone else to play like him. We tried to adapt our game plan. We played 4-3-3 with Kevin. In his absence, we switched to 4-2-3-1 because we felt that a system with two “sixes” was the best option. Against Sweden, we tried De Ketelaere. He is a talented young player who sometimes needs to be reminded that he has qualities. I like players who want the ball, can play under pressure and are brave in difficult moments. This is his case. Same for Leandro Trossard.
The other major absentee from the last gatherings is Thibaut Courtois. Do you agree if I tell you that Belgium is better when Courtois is in goal?
Thibaut Courtois is the best goalkeeper in Belgium and even in the world. And that doesn’t mean that the other Belgian goalkeepers are bad. But it’s difficult to be Thibaut’s competitor. I was talking regarding it with Matz Sels during the last meeting: he’s a fantastic goalkeeper. However, he is not only ahead of Courtois but also by Koen Casteels. It’s pretty incredible.
Read also Timothy Castagne confides without tongue in cheek: “If Thibaut Courtois no longer wants to return to the national team, it’s his choice”
Where are we in this thorny “Courty” issue?
The news is the same as in September: following what happened in June, Frank Vercauteren and Manu Leroy went to Madrid to speak with Thibaut. When they returned, the three of us talked regarding it. For me, things are clear: the doors are wide open for Thibaut. I suggested that we meet, here or in Madrid. But the next day he injured his knee. I sent him a message to wish him a speedy recovery. But he knows that things are clear: my door is open.
Do you expect anything from him?
For now, the most important thing for him is to recover. But the door is open.
In an interview with us at the beginning of October, Timothy Castagne said, and he is not the only player to think so, that Courtois might not come back “as if nothing had happened”…
This is something we will have to see in two or three stages. It is very difficult to discuss this subject publicly. At this point, the most important thing is that the doors are wide open for Thibaut. I hope he comes in. For me, life is too short to have regrets. And this is even more true in football.
In this case, Frank Vercauteren is important, he who knows Thibaut Courtois so well. How is it going between you two?
Our relationship is fantastic. In the world of football, it’s difficult to find someone who constantly challenges you while being honest and loyal to you. Frank is that for me. It is very important in my decision-making. We talk regarding the selections and even my basic eleven. When I ask myself questions, I want to get his opinion. He has been a coach and he understands many situations in which I find myself on a daily basis.
Can we talk regarding a “father-son” relationship?
If I define it like that, it will feel too old (laughs). Although it is not. Not at all when you see his state of mind. He’s more of a good friend than a father.
A “good friend” who gives you a good introduction to Belgian football…
I have seen many matches with him. And every time we went somewhere, whether it was Saint-Gilles, Charleroi or elsewhere, he might give me tons of information regarding the club, its environment and its supporters. I now know a lot regarding the Belgian championship thanks to him. And he doesn’t just know the historical elements or the former players. He is also comfortable with current players. He trained some of them when they were still very young, whether at Genk, Cercle or Antwerp. It’s a real encyclopedia of Belgian football.
Read also Romelu Lukaku, captain of the Red Devils, looks back on the Thibaut Courtois saga: “I am not someone who likes to be the police”
Read also Thibaut Courtois gives news of his rehabilitation: “Now I walk and I work… I hope to be back as soon as possible”
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