Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel will both miss the team’s Euro 2020 opener against Russia on Saturday, Belgium coach Roberto Martinez confirmed.
The Manchester City midfielder is still recovering from a fractured nose and eye socket he suffered in the Champions League final against Chelsea which required a minor operation.
Witsel, meanwhile, has been out since January after suffering a torn Achilles with Borussia Dortmund.
At a press conference, Red Devils manager Roberto Martinez elaborated on his star duo.
“The next two days will be really important, just to get him back to really being able to move freely and start getting the exercise needed before he can come to the group,” Martinez said of De Bruyne.
Martinez said that Witsel was “progressing well” and added: “I don’t expect Axel will need a lot more work with the group.”
The third-place finishers at World Cup 2018 will begin their Euros campaign against Russia in St. Petersburg on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Italy kicked off their European championship campaign on a winning note after they comfortably defeated Turkey 3-0 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome.
Turkey defender Merih Demiral’s own goal early in the second half gave Italy a deserved lead and their impressive display was rewarded by further goals from Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne.
Roberto Mancini’s side are now unbeaten in 28 matches, last losing in November 2018 to Portugal, and posted a clear warning to Europe’s other leading sides with a dominant display in a ninth straight win.
