Amid whistles, Belgium advance to the round of 16 thanks to a goalless draw against Ukraine. National coach Domenico Tedesco does not understand the reactions.
The expressions of displeasure from many Belgian fans started even before the final whistle. When Johan Bakayoko shielded the ball after a corner in stoppage time and played for time, the supporters of the "Diables Rouges" covered their own team with whistles. Although they had survived the preliminary round, unlike two years ago at the World Cup in Qatar, the Belgians were not convincing.
Boos and whistles echoed through the Stuttgart arena after the final whistle. Kevin de Bruyne and Jan Vertonghen broke off their run towards the Belgian fan curve after sensing the unfriendly reception. The players reacted half confused, half unnerved to the critical fans, who continued to whistle and give the thumbs down for long minutes, while the other part of the Belgian supporters in the stadium tried to drown out the boos with cheers.
Carrasco's incomprehension
De Bruyne, the only Belgian to impress against Ukraine, justified the cautious approach in a TV interview: "Towards the end of the game, we had to concentrate on the essentials, on qualifying. We couldn't take any risks."
The players didn't understand the whistles, admitted Yannick Carrasco. "If we had conceded a goal, I would have understood the criticism. Then they would have been right." People sometimes forget what Belgian football was like just a few years ago. "Now we're always in the big tournaments and we're in the round of 16 ..."
National coach Domenico Tedesco assured that they had done everything they could to win. "I was surprised by the whistles, after all it was about qualifying," said the Italian-German at the media conference. Looking ahead to the round of 16 against France, he said: "We're here for games like this. We can keep up with any opponent." De Bruyne noted that they would not be favored. "But at a tournament, you have to play against the best."
Ukrainian disappointment
The tournament is over for the Ukrainians, who were given a rousing send-off by their fans in the stadium. With a banner bearing the likeness of a fallen soldier, they reminded everyone that football is not the most important thing. Despite this, or perhaps because of the war in their homeland, the players would have liked to continue representing their colors.
SDA
