Belgium will face the mighty France in the upcoming Euro Cup one-eighth final in the early hours of tomorrow morning Beijing time. Before the match, Belgium midfield core De Bruyne expressed his expectations for the match, his views on the French team and his personal outlook for the future in an interview with RTL and HLN.
Expectations for the game
De Bruyne said that despite France being the favorites to win this year's Euro, Belgium are confident of playing a great game and fighting for victory. He believes that the French team is under great pressure, while the Belgian team will develop a targeted plan and strive to play at the best level in the game. At the same time, he also mentioned the defensive performance of the Belgian team in the group stage, although only conceded one goal, but also pointed out the team's failure to seize the opportunity in the offensive end.
Thoughts on the French team
De Bruyne spoke highly of France's strengths as a very cautious and strong team up front. Referring to the long history and strength of French soccer, he said that the Belgian team is trying to catch up and strive to reach the same status. However, he also emphasized that in order to achieve this goal, Belgium will have to win some important matches, including the upcoming match against France.
Reflections and mindset after the match against Ukraine
Speaking about the clash with the fans after the match against Ukraine, De Bruyne said that it is a thing of the past and now the team needs to focus on the match against France. He thanked the fans for their support and said that the team has gone all out to prepare for the game. At the same time, he also revealed the change in his mindset, becoming more relaxed and confident.
Personal vision for the future
Regarding the rumors of retirement, De Bruyne said that he has not thought about it yet. He mentioned his career plans and the uncertainty of his future, stating that he may continue to play for Belgium, but may or may not prepare for the 2026 World Cup. He emphasized the importance of holidays between international matches for players and revealed his prospects and career plans with Manchester City.
Differences in performance against Manchester City and the national team
De Bruyne also talked about the different feelings in the Manchester City team and the Belgium national team. He believes that he works better with his teammates in the Manchester City team, while he faces different challenges and styles in the national team. He admitted that his performance in the national team may not be as good as in the Manchester City team, but it doesn't affect his love and commitment to the national team. He emphasized the importance of the manager's role and tactical arrangements in the national team and said that he will try his best to contribute to the team.
