De Bruyne says attacking Belgium style suits him after Turkey display

Kevin De Bruyne says Belgium’s more attacking approach has helped him rediscover his best form after he led his country to victory over Turkey.

The midfielder produced an outstanding performance in the match and was named player of the game, prompting him to reflect on his recent improvement and the difficult season he experienced last year.

De Bruyne also spoke about adapting to Mark van Bommel’s methods, making clear that he feels more comfortable in an aggressive, forward-thinking system. Although he did not mention Rudi Garcia by name, his comments appeared to underline his preference for the current approach.

“It’s true that this style suits me better,” De Bruyne said. “I have always been used to playing attacking football with intensity, and the players around me have a lot of energy, which drives me forward.”

He added: “I also feel physically stronger compared with last season, and that helps me produce better performances.”

The Belgium captain has faced criticism during the recent period but said he was not interested in answering it directly. Instead, he prefers to concentrate on his performances and continue assessing himself.

“I feel tired, but it is great to have played three good matches,” he said. “At the start of the international break, I said that I was feeling good. Last season was difficult, and I hope I can continue in this way.”

De Bruyne insisted that outside opinions do not occupy his thoughts for long, stressing that he remains his own harshest judge.

“I do not think about it too much,” he said. “I am very critical of myself and I assess my behaviour in training and in matches.”

The 34-year-old acknowledged that he is no longer the same player he was a decade ago, but believes he still has an important contribution to make.

“I am not the same player I was 10 years ago, but I can still make a difference,” he said. “I am enjoying my time, and that is the most important thing.”

His display against Turkey suggested that De Bruyne is gradually recovering the level that supporters have come to expect from him. The performance also reinforced the value of his experience to Belgium, with the midfielder showing that he remains capable of influencing important matches.