Football NewsKevin De Bruyne has revealed that he has played with torn ankle ligaments throughout Belgium’s Euro 2020 exit to Italy
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Excellent first-half finishes from Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne were enough for Roberto Mancini’s men to knock out the world’s top-ranked side at Allianz Arena.

De Bruyne was not entirely fit

Kevin De Bruyne has revealed that he has played with torn ankle ligaments throughout Belgium’s Euro 2020 exit to Italy, as the Azzurri won 2-1 in a quarterfinal clash in Munich. Excellent first-half finishes from Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Insigne were enough for Roberto Mancini’s men to knock out the world’s top-ranked side at Allianz Arena. A Romelu Lukaku penalty at half-time kept Robert Martinez’s side close throughout. Still, Belgium fell short in perhaps their last chance to hand their golden generation some highly coveted silverware – and now De Bruyne, an injury doubt pre-match, has confirmed that he is not entirely fit, despite featuring from the start for Manchester United. “For me, it has been four or five strange weeks. But I exceptionally want to thank the medical staff,” said the Belgium international.

Belgium tried everything to win the match

“It was phenomenal that I played today because I had an ankle injury. A tear in my ligaments. But I felt responsible for playing for my country today. I wish I could do more. I put even more pressure on the overall result”. De Bruyne added that he felt Belgium gave it their all in defeat. “I think we tried everything to win that match. They scored a great goal, but the first one may have been a mistake on our part. Italy had more possession, and the ball didn’t go in for us, which is a shame. Getting eliminated is always a disappointment.” Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois expanded further on his side’s defeat, also saying: “That hits hard. But we knew it was going to be a very hard game.”

 

Citing their chances and Italy’s two finishes, particularly Barella’s impressively orchestrated solo finish, the shot-stopper further acknowledged that his team could have perhaps done better and that a worthy victory, in the end, bested them. “We had two chances, but their goalkeeper made a good save, and I think we gave the first goal away a bit too simple,” Courtois added.