For the first time since the start of the tournament, the Devils will start their next match, against France, as the outsider. A status that could benefit Belgium, who will however have to play the perfect match to reach the quarter-finals.
Timothy Castagne was not yet in the game during the World Cup semi-final lost against the Blues. On the other hand, he was there in the Nations League, when the Devils led 2-0 before seeing their future opponent return to the match. The Fulham player remembered it this Saturday during an interview at Monrepos Castle, the one in which the Devils stay throughout the tournament.
“It’s mixed memories. We had a great first half, before panicking in the second and letting them get back into the match. It proves that we can do it, even if we had a system, a coach and different players. We prepare a plan that must be respected. If everyone does it well, we will have our chances, but we have very little room for error.
A duel of counter teams
France and Belgium are two teams that struggled to be effective during the pools, particularly with placed attacks. Two teams who feel better when they can “just” take up the space left behind the defense. But if everyone wants to play the counter-attack, who will take charge of the match?
“It will force both teams to play better in possession. It’s hard to say who will take control, it could be a very open match or a little more closed. We’ll have to raise the tone. We can be as aggressive as we want, if they do a one-two around you because you come stupidly, it’s no use. We’ll have to be smart and not play like a headless chicken, with a certain intensity to show them that we’re there too.”
For the first time since the start of the tournament, Belgium will not be favourites at kick-off. In the run-up to the competition, it was thought that the Devils could perhaps take advantage of their status as outsiders, rather than favourites for the final victory, to express themselves with less pressure. If this was not the case in the group stage due to the lesser status of their opponents, the Devils will be in the costume of “underdog” against the Blues, for the very first time. A major change that could play on everyone’s minds.
We have to play with nothing to lose.”
“We have to prove that we are capable of winning against these teams. If we are not, it will be very difficult to go far in a tournament. We come into this match with less pressure. In groups, If you don’t pass, you say to yourself ‘and now, what do we do?’ Here, we come more as outsiders.”
“It’s sure that it will be a difficult match, I’m not saying that it’s better for us to play France rather than another team. Against Romania, when we scored, we had a feeling of relief , because it’s finally happening. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves in the groups and we have to let go. I think we can succeed, but it’s still difficult because we know France and its people. qualities. We have to play with nothing to lose.”
