Belgium v Türkiye preview: Van Bommel’s side seek response as Montella chases first points
Belgium host winless Türkiye in Liège looking to bounce back from defeat by France. Team news, form, head-to-head and kick-off time.
Belgium need a response to their late defeat by France, and pointless Türkiye arrive in Liège on Friday desperate for their first Nations League A points.
Main image: DSN graphic. Photo: Milli Fanatikler / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Mark van Bommel’s side began the campaign with an impressive 2-0 win away to Italy, then lost 1-0 at home to France on Monday to a late Michael Olise goal. They sit second in Group A on three points.
Belgium look to bounce back
Van Bommel refused to criticise his players after the France defeat, praising their intensity and quality. Friday’s game moves to Sclessin, the home of Standard Liège, and anything other than three points would leave Belgium chasing France and Italy.
According to Sports Mole, Diego Moreira is suspended after picking up too many bookings, so Dodi Lukebakio could come in. Romeo Lavia is a doubt after a late knock against France, goalkeeper Mike Penders needs a fitness test, and Thibaut Courtois and Jérémy Doku are not in the squad. Kevin De Bruyne remains the man Belgium build around.
Türkiye under pressure
Vincenzo Montella’s side have had a harsh introduction to the top tier. They lost 1-0 to France in Kocaeli and were then beaten 4-1 by Italy in Bursa, conceding five goals in two home games.
Montella has pointed out that this squad was in League C only two and a half years ago, and admitted the step up is getting harder. Help is on the way: goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır is back from suspension, and Abdülkerim Bardakçı and Ferdi Kadıoğlu are expected to return, Sports Mole reports. Arda Güler is their main creative threat.
Head to head
History says this will not be easy for the hosts. The two nations have met 11 times, with three wins each and five draws, and Belgium have won only one of the last seven meetings.
| Match facts | |
|---|---|
| Kick-off | Friday 2 October, 7.45pm (UK) |
| Venue | Stade Maurice Dufrasne, Liège |
| Referee | Rohit Saggi (Norway) |
| Group A position | Belgium 2nd, 3 pts | Türkiye 4th, 0 pts |
| Group results | Belgium: 2-0 v Italy (a), 0-1 v France (h) | Türkiye: 0-1 v France (h), 1-4 v Italy (h) |
| Goals so far | Belgium 2 for, 1 against | Türkiye 1 for, 5 against |
| All-time record | Belgium 3 wins, Türkiye 3, draws 5 |
More on DSN: Ukraine v Northern Ireland preview: O’Neill’s young side chase top spot ten years on from Lyon and Hojlund does Ronaldo celebration and brushes past Jesus as Portugal win 4-2 in Denmark.
Our sister site DGBN has also covered Kevin De Bruyne looking ahead to facing Mohamed Salah at the World Cup.
What’s at stake
France host Italy at the same time, so a Belgium win could put them level with or above the Azzurri before their trip to Paris on Monday. Read our preview of the other Group A game here: France v Italy preview. Another defeat would leave Türkiye facing a fight to avoid relegation from League A.
