Belgium's Nations League Squad: Serie A Influence Under Van Bommel

Mark van Bommel has not eased himself into international management. Italy, France and Turkiye in Nations League Group A, with his first game away to the Azzurri. No soft launch. No hiding place.

The new Belgium coach named his squad for the campaign on Wednesday, and one theme jumps off the page immediately: Serie A runs right through the spine of this team.

Milan memories, Milan influence

Van Bommel knows Italy. He spent the 2011-12 season patrolling Milan’s midfield, and he returns now as the man trying to steer Belgium through a group that could break reputations as quickly as it makes them.

His debut comes in Italy on September 25, the start of a brutal run: home to France three days later on September 28, Turkiye on October 2, a trip to France on October 5, then the final stretch in Turkiye on November 12 and at home to Italy on November 15. Six games, two heavyweights, one hostile trip to Istanbul. It’s a gauntlet.

So he has turned to a core that already breathes Italian football.

Milan defender Koni De Winter, Bologna signing Arthur Theate, Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, Parma’s Mandela Keita, Atalanta forward Charles De Ketelaere and Milan winger Diego Moreira all make the cut. Six players, six different Serie A clubs, one clear message: Belgium’s future is being forged in Italy as much as at home.

Old guard, new era

The squad blends that Italian-based contingent with familiar power up front. Romelu Lukaku, now at Fenerbahce after leaving Serie A in recent weeks, remains the focal point in attack. Lois Openda, who also recently departed Italy, returns as another reminder of how closely this group has been tied to Calcio.

Around them, Van Bommel has gone for a mix of established names and emerging talent. Youri Tielemans, now at Manchester United, offers control and experience in midfield. Hans Vanaken, the long-time heartbeat of Club Brugge, stays in the frame. Nicolas Raskin and Romeo Lavia add energy and edge in the centre of the pitch.

Out wide and in the attacking lanes, there is pace and flair: Leandro Trossard, now listed with Bestikas, Dodi Lukebakio of Benfica, Malick Fofana at Sunderland, Mika Godts at PSG, Matias Fernandez-Pardo at Newcastle United and the versatile De Ketelaere give Van Bommel a range of profiles to work with.

At the back, the coach has kept faith with a largely domestic and European club mix: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Maxime De Cuyper (Brighton), Zeno Debast (Sporting), Brandon Mechele, Kyriani Sabbe and Joaquin Seys from Club Brugge, Nathan Ngoy from LOSC and Theate and De Winter as the Serie A anchors.

In goal, the picture is wide open. Jari De Busser (AZ Alkmaar), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Chelsea) and Maarten Vandervoordt (RB Leipzig) will battle for the starting shirt, with no undisputed No. 1 yet entrenched.

The full squad

• Goalkeepers: Jari De Busser (AZ Alkmaar), Senne Lammens (Manchester United), Mike Penders (Chelsea), Maarten Vandervoordt (RB Leipzig)
• Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Maxime De Cuyper (Brighton), Zeno Debast (Sporting), Koni De Winter (Milan), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Nathan Ngoy (LOSC), Kyriani Sabbe (Club Brugge), Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge), Arthur Theate (Bologna)
• Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli), Mandela Keita (Parma), Romeo Lavia (Chelsea), Nicolas Raskin (Rangers), Youri Tielemans (Manchester United), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge)
• Forwards: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Malick Fofana (Sunderland), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (Newcastle United), Mika Godts (PSG), Romelu Lukaku (Fenerbahce), Dodi Lukebakio (Benfica), Diego Moreira (Milan), Lois Openda (Lyon), Leandro Trossard (Bestikas)

Trial by fire in Group A

There is no time for gradual evolution. Van Bommel’s Belgium will be judged instantly, and harshly. An opening night in Italy, a meeting with Kylian Mbappé’s France three days later, and a trip to Turkiye waiting deeper in the schedule. Every game carries weight, every mistake a potential turning point in a group this unforgiving.

He has responded with a squad that leans on players hardened in Serie A’s tactical battles and the intensity of Europe’s top leagues. Whether that blend can withstand the pressure of Italy away and France home and away will define not just this Nations League run, but the early shape of Van Bommel’s reign.

The fixtures are set, the names are on paper. Now comes the question that matters: can this new-look Belgium turn a brutal group into a statement of intent?