Belgium’s national team is preparing for a pair of upcoming friendly matches, and the selection in central defense is a key question for head coach Rudi Garcia.
Koni De Winter has become an indispensable player for AC Milan. The 23-year-old is a mainstay in the team’s three-man defense and delivered a standout performance in last weekend’s derby against Inter Milan.
Tom Aerts, one of De Winter’s agents at NGA Sport, told Sporza that one person has been crucial to his success. “Allegri is the most important factor in his development,” he explained.
Milan’s Influence on De Winter’s Growth
“Even when there were doubts, the coach continued to trust him,” Aerts said. “That allowed Koni to grow week by week. Allegri saw his potential; it just required ironing out small errors. And at Milan, they’ve worked on that.”
De Winter’s strong form has thrust him back into contention for a starting spot with the Red Devils. Defense has been an area of concern for the national team, and De Winter could become a future leader in the backline.
Gilles Mbiye-Beya highlighted a key difference in tactical approach: “Belgium plays a higher line than Milan. With Allegri, the style is very defensive with a low block of three at the back. Plus, there’s an excellent Modric to whom you can give the ball. With the national team, the context is different with a four-man defense.”
