Belgian national team coach Mark van Bommel enjoys the opportunity to test his abilities against Zinedine Zidane, but he is disappointed by the absence of Kylian Mbappe from the match that will bring together Belgium and France in the European Nations League on Monday.
Van Bommel made a dream start in his first match in charge of the Belgium national team, with a 2-0 victory away to Italy in the first group match of the first level last Friday, and he said that he wants his team to continue the attacking style that he showed in Rome.
He said in a press conference on Sunday: “I started (my training mission) last Monday by focusing on intensity and desire to work. The idea should remain the same. Of course, you have to take the quality of the opponent into account, but that doesn't change our style of play. If you get defeated in a situation, it's not a problem. As long as everyone knows what to do.”
This will also be Zidane's second match as a coach, after he achieved a 1-0 victory in his first match with the French national team on Friday in Turkey, where top scorer Mbappe was injured.
"It's special to face a coach like him," Van Bommel said. He was an exceptional player, and I played against him once, with Barcelona and Real Madrid. If a dribble move is named after you, then you've done well. And as a coach too, of course. "He's a good coach, that's clear."
The Belgian national team coach added: “I think it is unfortunate that Mbappe will not be there, because you always want the best football players to face you. “I don’t know exactly what injury he has, but I would have liked him to be there.”
The French national team captain has since returned to Real Madrid, who announced that he suffered a strain in his left knee.
Liverpool's Swedish striker Alexander Isak returned to Anfield after suffering a "minor injury" during his participation with the Sweden national team in the current international window.
Isak scored a goal and played the entire match, on Friday, in Sweden's victory over Romania in the European Nations League.
However, the 27-year-old player will not participate with his country’s national team in its matches against Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania, during the remainder of the extended international break.
Liverpool said in a statement published on its website on Sunday: “Alexander Isak will return to Liverpool from the Swedish national team camp due to a minor injury.”
The club added: “The striker will not participate in the remaining three matches for Sweden during the current international break, and will now undergo evaluation by the club’s medical staff at the AXA Training Center.”
Isaac's first season with Liverpool was affected by injuries, following his controversial transfer from Newcastle.
But the player performed better this season. He scored four goals in his first seven matches in all competitions.
Liverpool coach, Spanish Andoni Iraola, hopes that Isaac will recover before the team's next match in the English Premier League against Manchester City, on October 11.
