Belgian forward Charles De Ketelaere has taken a stand, asserting that the blame for Belgium’s underwhelming performance at the 2024 European Championship shouldn’t solely fall on coach Domenico Tedesco. He emphasizes that players on the pitch ultimately carry out the instructions given, and therefore share responsibility for the results.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, De Ketelaere acknowledged that the team’s performance in the group stage was below par, leading to a difficult draw in the knockout stages, where they faced powerhouse France and ultimately exited the tournament. Despite only receiving six minutes of playing time throughout the championship, the 23-year-old Atalanta player, who was acquired by the Belgian team, maintains a positive outlook.
While he acknowledges the team’s struggles, De Ketelaere expresses no ill will towards his limited role at Euro 2024. Instead, he focuses on the opportunity to contribute more significantly in the future, particularly with the absence of key players like Romelu Lukaku. He’s prepared to step up and prove himself, stating, “I’m not a person who has feelings of revenge… I hope I get my chance. There will be more room to play and I hope I can do my part.”
Looking ahead, De Ketelaere is focused on the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches. The first fixture against Israel is scheduled to be played behind closed doors in neutral Hungary due to security concerns in Belgian cities. Despite the unusual circumstances, De Ketelaere maintains his optimism: “I just see it as two matches we want to win. The group is also still a (good chance to advance), even though the European Championship was not what we expected.” Belgium, currently in League A, is facing a challenging group, including Italy in Group A2, and will face France again on Monday in Lyon.
