Lavia sets up opener but Belgium lose 4-1 to France before Chelsea

📰 Chelsea midfielder Roméo Lavia played in all four Belgium matches under careful management, and even provided an assist in the final game against France. 📌 Key points ⚽ Lavia played 85 minutes in the first France game and was substituted limping. 🩹 The problem turned out to be cramp, not an injury. 🔁 Van Bommel used him only off the bench against Türkiye. 🎯 In the return match against France on 5 October he started and set up the opening goal. 📉 Belgium conceded four goals in the last 13 minutes to lose 1-4. 📝 What happened ⚽ Lavia made his first start for Belgium in the Nations League game against France (a 0-1 defeat), and caused concern when he was substituted limping after 85 minutes. It was later confirmed to be simple cramp. Van Bommel said both Chelsea and Belgium were handling him carefully, and brought him on around the hour mark against Türkiye (a 3-0 win). 🎯 Lavia started again in the return match at the Stade de France in Paris on 5 October. According to Read Chelsea, he filled the gap left by the suspended De Bruyne and Tielemans. In the 35th minute Lavia played a long ball from his own half to set up Dodi Lukébakio's opener. 📉 But Belgium could not hold on to the lead. France won 4-1 with goals from Doué in the 77th minute, Cherki in the 81st and Olise in the 88th and stoppage time. Lavia was substituted after 87 minutes. 🩹 According to Read Chelsea, Lavia completed 89% of his passes with two tackles and two interceptions, contributing at both ends. For Chelsea, the most welcome news is that a player who has struggled with frequent injuries got through all four games of this camp without major problems. 📊 By the numbers • First France game: 85 minutes (Belgium lost 0-1) • v Türkiye: on around the hour mark (Belgium won 3-0) • Second France game: started, 87 minutes, 1 assist (Belgium lost 1-4) • Chelsea this season: 5 games, 284 minutes, 4 starts • Belgium 3rd in the group (6 points), France 1st (10 points) 🔭 Why it matters After the cramp scare, Lavia kept playing under careful management and even added an assist. A fit Lavia is a big boost for an injury-hit Chelsea midfield. Chelsea resume their league campaign at home to Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge at 3pm (UK time) on 10 October.