Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne has launched a scathing attack on some of his teammates after the defeat to France on Monday night.
Despite entering Euro 2024 on a 14-match unbeaten streak under Domenico Tedesco, the Red Devils have since lost their way both on and off the pitch.
On the back of recording a 3-1 victory over Israel on Friday, there had been optimism heading into the fixture with France at the Groupama Stadium.
However, Belgium would succumb to a 2-0 defeat, goals in either half from Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele getting the job done for Les Bleus.
As a result, the two nations sit on three points after their opening two fixtures, Italy leading the way at the top of the group after successive triumphs.
DEMBOUUUUUUUZ! 😍
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) September 9, 2024
True to form, our winger enters the box, eliminates a defender with a feint, and fires home just under the crossbar💥
🇫🇷2-0🇧🇪 | #FRABEL | #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/PTj3f0Dbom
What did De Bruyne have to say?
Belgium have now lost three of their most recent six matches in all competitions, failing to find the back of the net in as many as four of those games.
France have overcome Belgium in two of their last three fixtures, the other being a last-16 showdown at Euro 2024 when Didier Deschamps's side prevailed by a 1-0 scoreline.
De Bruyne's frustration perhaps still lingers from that match, the Manchester City man choosing to vent it when speaking to VTM after the game.
The 33-year-old said: "There are players who don't perform their duties and then you get into trouble.
"If you're not good enough, you have to give it your all. But even that is not done by some. Some things are unacceptable."
© Imago
Where will comments leave De Bruyne?
De Bruyne's comments are sure to divide opinion, with some naturally feeling that the playmaker should not have broadcast his thoughts to the wider public.
Belgium are very much a squad in transition with De Bruyne the eldest player in the group. They were also missing all-time leading goalscorer Romelu Lukaku on Monday night.
The reaction may stem from the realisation that Belgium have missed their best opportunity to win a major trophy with many of the so-called golden generation having now retired, either completely or from international football.
Although they are stacked with quality in midfield and attack, that is not the case with the defence, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has withdrawn himself from the international picture after a dispute with Tedesco.
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