Europa League
Zeno Debast cleared for solo training, misses group games
Central defender Zeno Debast has been cleared by the medical staff to resume individual training on the pitch after a positive MRI, but he remains unavailable for any match until the end of the group phase, meaning he will miss Belgium’s fixtures against Iran and New Zealand.
The medical staff’s clearance means Debast will not feature in any match before the group phase concludes. Consequently, he will be absent for Belgium’s encounters with Iran and New Zealand.
Coach Rudi Garcia has decided to retain the Sporting defender despite the injury. Garcia said he prefers to wait for Debast’s return rather than summon another player, trusting the squad in the interim.
In the match against Iran, centre‑backs Brandon Mechele and Nathan Ngoy started for Belgium. Both players performed adequately, according to the match report.
Debast’s injury is described as a thigh problem at the femoral insertion, the attachment of the muscle to the femur. He sustained the injury while training with Sporting at the end of the season.
His most recent appearance came on 4 May, when he completed the full game for Sporting against Vitória Guimarães SC. Debast supplied a decisive pass in a 5‑1 victory for his side.
He then missed the remainder of the campaign, including the cup final, which Sporting lost to SC União Torreense of the second division. The defeat came after his absence.
Across all competitions this season, Debast featured in 24 matches and recorded two league assists. He accumulated 1 503 minutes of playing time.
Garcia hopes to count on Debast after the group stage if Belgium progresses. The coach’s plan hinges on the defender’s full recovery.