Belgium is a powder keg two days away from the game for its World Cup future. After tension erupted between the players in statements and also in public, for example between Alderweireld and De Bruyne, L'Equipe reveals that the coaching staff have organized a meeting to try to calm things down ahead of the crucial match against Croatia.
Inter striker Romelu Lukaku is acting as a mediator between the various factions.
Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard, two veterans, appeared today at the press conference and tried to add water to the fire. "Within the group there are no problems. Of course you are not happy if we lose. These stories from outside bring us together more. It will be a difficult match. We will give our best," Courtois said as reported by the Belgian press .
"We had a good conversation between us. Nothing happened. Many things were said. Now we want to win against Croatia. We have two days to prepare. We have to be ready," Hazard added. "Nothing happened in the dressing room. Only the coach spoke. Yesterday we had a conversation during the group meeting," said the Real Madrid attacker. Hazard then denied rumors that he had had a falling out with a team-mate. "I'm not going to fight Vertonghen, he's bigger than me!" he joked.