Lukebakio: 'It will be good to have a coach who knows my qualities'

Dodi Lukebakio, Benfica winger, shone this Friday with a great goal in Belgium's victory in Italy (2-0), in a match on the opening matchday of Nations League A that marked the debut of Dutchman Mark van Bommel as Belgium head coach.

After the match, Lukebakio was excited about being reunited with Van Bommel, who had already coached him at Wolfsburg in the 2021/22 season, and ended up sending a 'dig' at his predecessor, Frenchman Rudi Garcia, who left the role after taking Belgium to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, eventually losing to the eventual champion Spain (2-1).

'The coach made us understand very quickly what his ideas and principles are. I know them, of course, because I have already worked with him. He wants us to play well as a team, to take risks and to be aggressive. He simply wants to be very dominant. For me, it is very good to work with him again,' began the Benfica winger, to the Belgian press, before the 'jab' at Garcia.

'It will be good for me to have a coach who knows my qualities. I want to be important for our country,' stressed Lukebakio, who was brought on from the bench against Italy in the 58th minute and scored in the 69th, sealing the final 2-0.