Belgium midfielder Charles De Ketelaere has credited his time in Serie A with sharpening his tactical maturity ahead of a decisive Nations League match against Italy.
De Ketelaere issued a confident rallying call as the Red Devils prepare to host Italy in Brussels at the Koning Boudewijnstadion.
The Atalanta star heads into Sunday’s UEFA Nations League fixture brimming with confidence after finding the scoresheet alongside Kevin De Bruyne in a vital 2-1 victory over Turkey in Izmir.
Having established himself as a key figure under Mark van Bommel, the playmaker’s tactical versatility will be vital in unlocking a resolute Italian defence as Belgium fights to secure a top-two finish in Group 1.
Reflecting on his club career, the player admitted that experiencing Serie A on a weekly basis has fundamentally changed his approach to football, “instilling a much deeper tactical understanding”, according to Yahoo Sports.
Reflecting on his development, De Ketelaere stated, “Italian football has certainly changed me as a player.”
He added that the Italian style of play is very tactical and “definitely made me mature”, per Yahoo Sports.
That enhanced tactical discipline has translated seamlessly to the international stage, making him an invaluable asset for Van Bommel’s tactical setup.
Looking back at Belgium’s campaign, which includes an opening 2-0 victory over Italy and a gritty recovery following defeat to France, the midfielder highlighted the squad’s collective fighting spirit.
Recalling their resilience in recent outings, De Ketelaere noted, “We struggled at the start, but after the equaliser we found the solution and played better.”
Issuing a confident message ahead of the Brussels showdown, the midfielder added, “We’re a good team and hard to beat.”
With a quarter-final berth hanging in the balance, De Ketelaere and his team-mates know that nothing less than a top-tier performance will suffice against the Azzurri.
The stage is set for a thrilling tactical battle between two European heavyweights as Belgium harnesses its passionate home supporters to chase the victory needed to cap off the group campaign in style, according to Yahoo Sports.