Belgium’s Spanish coach Roberto Martinez (L) speaks to Belgium’s midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (C) after being taken off following an injury during the UEFA EURO 2020 round of 16 football match between Belgium and Portugal at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville on June 27, 2021. (Photo by Jose Manuel Vidal / POOL / AFP)
Belgium coach Robero Martinez said on Thursday he will decide whether or not to play Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne in this weekend’s Euro 2020 quarter-final “at the last minute.”
Martinez’ men face Italy in Friday’s last-eight tie in Munich but are likely to be without Hazard due to a soft tissue problem and De Bruyne because of a ligament issue.
“We are fighting against time. We are going to take until the last minute to make the decision,” Martinez said.
“We’ll see tomorrow if they will be involved or not.
“Tomorrow, it will be a medical decision in the afternoon and then we’ll make a football decision after that,” he added.
Captain Hazard and midfielder De Bruyne both hobbled off during Belgium’s 1-0 last-16 win over Portugal last weekend.
The Red Devils are bidding to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1980 when they lost to West Germany in the final.