Saturday, June 18, 2016

'I bluffed' about team selection, Belgium coach Wilmots admits

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots was happy to encourage speculation that Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku would be dropped for today's 3-0 win over Ireland at Euro 2016 in which both not only played but were key performers. De Bruyne himself did nothing to discourage suggestions he would be replaced for their second Group E match after a poor performance in the opening 2-0 loss to Italy. "I bluffed," Wilmots told reporters. "But the players were aware of it. Our lineup was the right lineup today." Like Antonio Conte, coach of group winners Italy, Wilmots has been the subject of media criticism, which he now feels he has rebutted. "After four years of success, when we get criticism it's like those last four years disappear," he said. "It's just giving people the wrong ideas. I live with criticism. Apart from death I don't know what else would really affect me. "I enjoy my job and I hope the country's proud of us. I want to be with positive people." Belgium, now two points ahead of their final group opponents Sweden, need only avoid defeat in Wednesday's game to reach the knockout stage. "We're not yet qualified," Wilmots added. "We have a difficult game to play against Sweden and it's...

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