BELGIUM will be without star men Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard for their Euro 2020 quarter-final with Italy.
The pair, both 30, suffered ankle and hamstring injuries respectively in the Red Devils’ victory over Portugal on Sunday night.
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And Belgium boss Roberto Martinez is seemingly resigned to both men missing Friday’s clash with the Azzurri.
The Spaniard said: “The initial information that we have from medical staff is positive for both, they will remain with the squad and they have no structural damage.
“But we are running up against time and it is very difficult to see them fully fit.
“So, we have to take it day by day to try and get them fit.
“We were all a bit concerned before we got the news from the scans and it was a relief to all that we can now work on trying to get them fit again.”
Immediately after the match, Martinez said of the pair’s injuries: “We are going to need 48 hours to find out the extent of the injuries.
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“We will go back to Belgium and make the scans tomorrow.
“Kevin De Bruyne… it was a very bad tackle. We have no diagnosis from the medical department. Eden Hazard is more muscular.”
Belgium sealed their place in the last eight courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Cristiano’ Ronaldo’s Portugal.
Hazard’s younger brother Thorgan fired his country through to the next round of the tournament with an exquisite strike just before the stroke of half time.
Martinez was thoroughly impressed by his side’s attacking display but was more impressed by their defensive resilience.
He said: “It wasn’t just about how good we could be, it was about how we could adapt to what Portugal do the best, which is do exactly what they need to do to win.
“That is why they are the current champions and winners of Nations League.
“They have incredible experience and know how to take those moments to hurt you.
“We had incredible concentration and defended really well. We scored a very good goal.
“In the second half the more the momentum went to Portugal we had to show an incredible mentality.
“Everything was about being disciplined and tactically astute.
“We never lost concentration and there were difficult moments.
“The way Portugal pushed for victory until the end, this gives me incredible satisfaction.
“This is what a winning team needs.
“We know the talent we we have but all the other elements you need were shown today. For us it was the biggest test there is.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
