LIVE RED DEVILS. Tedesco keeps Spileers in selection: “He was brought into the group due to Saelemaekers’ injury” | Sport

Initially, the intention was that Koni De Winter would be transferred from the U21 to the A-team of the Devils. A scan showed that the Genoa defender suffered a fracture in the nose from last Friday’s match against Verona. In consultation with his club, De Winter will undergo surgery tomorrow. De Winter will also miss the U23 match against Scotland anyway.

“This match is important to test some things. To answer some questions. Of course there is still the camp in March, but we can still answer questions. This is an important practice match, but not the last chance.”

“Two strikers tomorrow? That is always an option. Because we have good attackers.”

“Saelemaekers will not play tomorrow,” national coach Tedesco told VTM NIEUWS journalist Jarno Bertho. “He has minor issues. We have to watch Onana day by day. He may become fully fit, but we have to wait and see. Onana is an open question. Spileers is there. He will stay with the group. We decided that after we knew that Saelemaekers is out. We also have to check Vertonghen. He could play for Anderlecht – that is a signal to me that he can also play for the Devils. But I am not taking any risks. I am not going to push a player. But he is available. He is at the core.”

“Things are going very well at Leipzig for the time being,” says Openda to VTM NIEUWS journalist Jarno Bertho. “I am in excellent form, with eleven goals this season. My adjustment was almost immediate. Is it difficult to return to the Red Devils, where Lukaku is number one? Not really. We know Romelu’s role here. He is very important as a captain. Is it possible to have two strikers here, like at Leipzig? That is certainly possible here too. Although the system at Leipzig and here at the Devils is different.”

“He played for Anderlecht. I trust my medical staff. If there is a small risk, he won’t play. But he played for Anderlecht – that’s a good signal. He feels good today. He is available, he is in the core “We’ll see if he will play too.”

“We want to have a good feeling about Serbia. Preferably with a result. Even if it is a friendly match. I also want to win.”

“Spileers will be in the selection tomorrow,” says Tedesco. That’s because Saelemaekers is injured. Onana was also not present at training this morning. “He can get done. But you know me: we don’t take risks. We fulfill a responsibility to the player and club. If there is even a little bit of risk left, I won’t take it. We shouldn’t push a player. Maybe he is fit on Sunday.”

“Openda is a high priority. Every player in our selection must know that we find them very valuable. Openda is in good shape. That was already the case in Lens. Same with Romelu (Lukaku, ed.). It helps if they perform well at their clubs. The way Loïs applies pressure is very strong. With high intensity.”

“We are able to play different systems. Even with two strikers.”

“Serbia is a good team. Even when they make substitutions, they don’t lose much quality. They only need one more point against Bulgaria. They will show themselves against us. And I want to solve some issues. Which substitutes can also start a match?”

“Vertonghen played at Anderlecht last weekend. If he can play there, he can also play with us. And at Al-Dakhil everything is control. He is also getting fit. We have no doubts. We didn’t have to call any extra. We have enough central defenders. Spileers trained along, that could also have been De Winter. We believe in our youth.”

“Leipzig and the Devils cannot be compared. At the club you play consecutive matches. Here you have to make do with one or two matches. It is important to show myself in that. I have to show myself when I come on as substitutes. So there is There is certainly still room for improvement. You have to perform well at the club to be a starter for the Devils.”

“Tedesco talks to me a lot. It is an advantage that Tedesco also worked at RB Leipzig. So he knows that system well. That pressing, for example, which we also see with the Red Devils. It is similar. He knows how to to use.”

“I have evolved. Whether I have passed Batshuayi in the pecking order? I don’t know and I don’t think it is that important. I feel better and better with the Red Devils. I want to play and win. That’s what it’s all about. I be part of a good generation.”

“Whether I will play tomorrow? I have no idea. Just because I am here at the press conference does not mean I will play. We will see. That can be done alone, or in the rush hour with Lukaku. We played together against Austria. I didn’t think so “It went so badly, even though I was substituted at half-time. One or two attackers doesn’t really matter to me. As long as we win.”

EURO 2024 is in Germany, where Openda plays. “I feel good at Leipzig. The teamwork with Xavi Simons? That goes very smoothly. Is there anyone at the Devils comparable to him? There is only one Xavi. Xavi is Leipzig and Leipzig is Xavi.”

It is the Devils’ first return to Heysel since the canceled match against Sweden. “That was a sad moment, but we try not to worry about it too much anymore. The match against Serbia is an important one towards the 2024 European Championship.”

Openda and national coach Tedesco will speak to the press at 12 noon. As usual, you can follow what they have to say closely in this live blog.