Managers are judged on line-ups, substitutions and shape. But short tournaments are often decided by recovery speed, training load and how quickly a player can return.
That matters because knockout football leaves little room for delay. A player who is only half-fit can change a bench, a pressing plan and the entire balance of a side.
Belgium have spent years trying to balance established names with a newer, more dynamic core. In that kind of transition, availability matters almost as much as talent. If explosive players are not fully sharp, the team can lose width, direct running and the ability to stretch games late on.
Garcia’s complaint also lands because Belgium’s recent tournament story has often been about fine margins. When a national team appears to be one or two physical setbacks away from a different level, questions naturally move beyond tactics.
The report says Mark van Bommel has now been appointed, opening a fresh chapter. His first challenge may not be purely tactical. It may be structural: build trust, manage bodies better and make sure key players arrive at the next major window in stronger condition.
That is the next storyline to watch with Belgium. Results will matter, but so will availability. For a national side chasing another deep run, the medical room may shape the pitch as much as the coach’s board.