De Bruyne criticizes Belgium after Nations League defeat to France
What's the story
Belgium's captain, Kevin De Bruyne, has expressed his disappointment following the team's 2-0 defeat to France in the UEFA Nations League match on Monday.
The Manchester City star criticized his teammates' performance and highlighted issues with their defensive strategy.
Despite this setback, Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco understood de Bruyne's frustration and recognized his winning mentality.
Statement
We are not good enough: De Bruyne
De Bruyne, in his post-match interaction with Belgian broadcasterVTM, said "I cannot repeat that in the media but it has to be better in every way."
"If the standard we want to reach is the best, but we're no longer good enough to get to that level, then you have to give everything. If you don't even do that, it's over," he added.
Previous performance
De Bruyne scored in Belgium's win over Israel
Before facing France, Belgium had kicked off their Nations League run with a 3-1 victory over Israel.
De Bruyne, who netted two goals in that match, had previously voiced concerns about the team's ability to manage defensive systems.
The focus now shifts toward improving their form and performance for upcoming matches.
Dual roles
De Bruyne's commitment to national and club duties
In addition to his role in the Nations League, de Bruyne also represents Manchester City.
When questioned about his capacity to play two full games for Belgium within four days, he responded humorously, suggesting that his manager Pep Guardiola should be asked about it.
He affirmed that it's up to the coach to decide his participation.