Tedesco on Lukaku’s Belgium decision, meeting Italy, Mbangula and De Ketelaere | OneFootball

Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco ‘can’t wait’ to meet the Italy national team on Thursday and is happy that Romelu Lukaku joined Napoli but hopes the Partenopei star will be available for international games in November.

Lukaku is not part of the Belgium team meeting Italy in a Nations League game at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome this week.

Gazzetta reported last week that the 31-year-old had informed the Belgian federation that he would not play for the national team until the end of the year in order to get in the best shape with Napoli.

“I hope Lukaku will be with us in November, but we’ll see,” Tedesco told Corriere dello Sport.

“It depends on him and his physical shape. Currently, he struggles to play for 90 minutes.

“He is absolutely a top player,” the Italian tactician continued.

“He is not only a fantastic person but also a natural leader. He is a player who all coaches would want to have, and he’s excellent for any team. I am really happy he chose Napoli, where he will feel at home with a coach who believes in him, like Antonio Conte, and vice versa. These are excellent starting points.”

Tedesco on Lukaku’s Belgium decision, meeting Italy, Mbangula and De Ketelaere

The upcoming international match will be unforgettable for Tedesco, born in Rossano, Calabria, in 1985.

“This is a truly special game for me, and I can’t wait for it. It would be a lie to say otherwise,” he admitted.

“I was born in Italy, and my family still lives there. I grew up in Germany, where a TV show called ‘Ranissimo’ showed Italian football. I would wait for that moment every week.”

Tedesco has called up three Serie A players, including Atalanta talent Charles De Ketelaere, for games against Italy and France this month.

“He’s a great player who is improving and has an important role at Atalanta,” said the coach.

“He’s been playing at high levels for a long period and he’s constantly improving. He’s impressing me.”

Another Belgian starlet, Juventus‘ Samuel Mbangula, made his senior debut under Thiago Motta in August and even scored in his first appearance with the Bianconeri.

“We have followed his developments and he has already played for the U21 squad,” said Tedesco.

“We are happy he’s getting playing time at Juventus. He’s an enormous talent and an example of the excellent work of the youth sector in Belgium. There are many talented wingers here.”