Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia says his squad is finally back to full fitness ahead of their World Cup Round of 32 showdown with Senegal, giving the Red Devils renewed confidence as the knockout stage begins.
Speaking in Seattle on Tuesday, Garcia revealed that every player is available for selection after Belgium battled injury and fitness concerns throughout the group stage.
“Before this game against Senegal, we’re fortunate to have everyone available,” Garcia said. “That’s great news because it wasn’t the case during our first three matches.
“Not everyone was at 100 percent physically, but those issues are now behind us.”
Belgium opened their Group G campaign with draws against Egypt and Iran before sealing top spot with an emphatic 5-1 victory over New Zealand.
Record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku, who was limited to just over an hour of club football for Napoli last season due to a persistent hamstring injury, has gradually regained fitness and made a positive impact from the bench during the tournament.
Jeremy Doku also returns in full condition after missing Belgium’s second group match following the birth of his son in London, while Charles De Ketelaere has recovered from the knee problem that kept him out of the goalless draw against Iran.
“Jeremy and Romelu are improving all the time, and Charles has also recovered,” Garcia said. “It’s a big boost for us.”
Although Belgium won only one of their three group matches, Garcia believes finishing first in the group was the most important objective.
“Our goal was to top the group and we achieved that,” he said. “Of course, we would have liked to win more matches, but that’s in the past now. What matters is that we’re through to the knockout stage.”
Belgium now turn their attention to Senegal, knowing there is no room for mistakes in the win-or-go-home phase of the tournament.
De Ketelaere warned that Paraguay’s stunning penalty shootout victory over Germany in the Round of 32 is proof that reputations count for little at this stage of the competition.
“It doesn’t matter who the favourites are,” he said.
“What matters is believing in ourselves and making sure we’re fully focused. Yesterday showed everyone that being the favourite guarantees nothing. We have to stay sharp if we want to win.”
