Vanden Borre slams Garcia's Doku bluff ahead of New Zealand clash

Belgium midfielder Anthony Vanden Borre criticised coach Rudi Garcia’s unclear communication after Jeremy Doku, the Manchester City winger, was listed as a substitute for the morning World Cup group match against New Zealand but started the game, prompting Vanden Borre to call the tactic a ‘bluff’. Rudi Garcia had indicated that Doku, who had just returned from his wife’s childbirth and recovered from respiratory problems, was not expected to start the New Zealand game. Nevertheless, the coach surprised observers by launching the Manchester City winger into the starting eleven. Vanden Borre expressed his frustration with the lack of clarity, saying the mixed messages confused supporters. “Ça me gêne un peu. Pourquoi ne pas être plus clair ? On sait que Jérémie est un élément important, si pas le plus important en équipe nationale. Faire croire au public qu'il ne jouera pas..On joue contre la Nouvelle-Zélande”, he said.

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Goalkeeper Silvio Proto echoed the sentiment, arguing that the team should not resort to deception even against weaker opponents. “On parle quand même de la Nouvelle-Zélande. Si on en est réduits à faire ça contre eux..Normalement, tu es quand même au-dessus du lot. A la limite, tu peux faire ça contre la France, mais pas la Nouvelle-Zélande”, Proto added. Vanden Borre also warned against using bluff tactics against any group‑stage opponent. “Sans manquer de respect à l'Iran, à l'Egypte ou à la Nouvelle-Zélande, face à adversaires de la phase de groupe, il fallait juste jouer notre jeu, sans coup de bluff”, he remarked.

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The former Anderlecht defender clarified that he holds no personal grudge against Garcia but seeks greater transparency. “Je n'ai pas de dent contre Rudi Garcia. Je veux juste un peu plus de clarté dans sa communication. En tant que supporter, quand j'ai vu Doku titulaire, je me suis juste dit 'Ah m*rde, il l'a encore faite'”, Vanden Borre laughed. The comments came on the eve of a decisive World Cup group match, with Belgium needing a win to advance. Both players suggested that clarity in selection could be crucial for the team’s performance.