Football NewsFootball ItaliaUnverified source· 25 Sept 2026
Van Bommel: De Ketelaere a complete player for Belgium
Belgium's new boss trusts Atalanta's De Ketelaere as a False 9 against Italy in Rome.
C. De Ketelaere
player
Competition
Nations League Group A
Fixture
Italy vs Belgium
Venue
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Role
False 9
Club
Atalanta
What happened. Belgium coach Mark van Bommel chose Charles De Ketelaere as a False 9 against Italy, leaving Romelu Lukaku on the bench. Van Bommel said Lukaku needs to find fitness and De Ketelaere is the best choice right now.
- Van Bommel called De Ketelaere intelligent, good in possession and a complete player.
- Lukaku was benched as he works back to full fitness.
- Italy are unbeaten against Belgium in competitive fixtures since 1972.
“Lukaku is a great player, but he needs to find his fitness. At this moment, De Ketelaere is the best choice.”
— Mark van Bommel
The Nations League Group A clash kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
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Belgium
