Belgium is also surrounded by problems

The French team is not the only one to have some problems. The situation is not rosy either with his opponent next Monday. On closer inspection, we can even talk about a duel between two injured beasts in the round of 16 of the Euro. Didier Deschamps’ men are plagued by doubts and watched by a disgruntled locker room, Domenico Tedesco’s men are also accumulating problems between a moribund game, feverish confidence, individualities within, injuries and now a divide with their public.

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The image struck everyone. After the final whistle of Belgium-Ukraine (0-0), Kevin de Bruyne was preparing to greet the supporters before turning around and taking all his teammates with him. The captain of the Devils did not appreciate the whistles against his team. The subject was of course controversial across Quiévrain and repeated repeatedly by the local media. The fans explained their actions in an open letter, exposing the players’ lack of desire and their failed performance.

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France – Belgium: Eduardo Camavinga and Ibrahima Konaté enjoyed 2018

Criticisms and whistles

The days preceding this 8th final were also occupied by this controversial video from the selection in which Amadou Onana says he is ready to tackle Mbappé “my tibia.” The message was meant to be humorous but it failed and Johan Bakayoko, present at a press conference this Saturday, was forced to apologize on behalf of the federation. The subject was quickly evacuated but it was added to the rest, like the debate on the level of the selection. There is reason to be worried after the three group matches where qualification was narrowly snatched.

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Before the competition, there was a lot of enthusiasm. Facing Slovakia (45th FIFA nation), Romania (47th) and Ukraine (24th), Belgium and its status as the 3rd best nation in the eyes of FIFA, was aiming for first place in its group. The opening defeat against the Slovaks (1-0) served as a stinging reminder, after a rather convincing preparation (two victories against Montenegro 2-0, and Luxembourg 3-0). It was during this last friendly that the first clouds gathered above the Devils.

The ray of sunshine after Romania did not last

Thomas Meunier was injured and stayed in the country. Axel Witsel, for his part, accompanied the rest of the group to Germany without knowing if he will be able to play, hampered by a muscle problem. After Slovakia, the first defeat of the Tedesco era, the criticism rained down. Jan Vertonghen was even sent to a press conference to calm tensions. At 37, the Anderlecht defender started from the 2nd day in place of Zeno Debast, who paid the price for this change. The success against Romania (2-0) proves the coach’s choices right.

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This ray of sunshine did not last. The bad draw against Ukraine was there, and so were the whistles. The technical staff recalled Thomas Meunier, who is not at all certain of being able to return to competition on time. It’s even the right side who is sent to face the press, to respond to dissatisfied supporters in particular. We experienced a more peaceful context. And even if the French team is not in the best shape either, Belgium will have a lot to do to take its revenge on 2018.