Although it may no longer be one of the favourites, as it was at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and Euro 2021, Belgium still generates a lot of expectations among its own people. On Wednesday evening, after a sluggish draw against Ukraine (0-0), the atmosphere was not one of big smiles and communion between the players and the thousands of supporters who had made the trip to Stuttgart.
The fans of the Red Devils, certainly relieved by the qualification obtained thanks to the second place obtained in Group E, wedged between Romania and Slovakia, did not really enjoy the spectacle offered. Boos and acid-soaked comments descended from the stands of the MHPArena, particularly towards attackers Leandro Trossard and Romelu Lukaku. In reaction, under the leadership of their captain Kevin De Bruyne, the players in the sky blue jersey turned around. An attitude widely commented on.
Leandro Trossard during Ukraine – Belgium
Credit: Getty Images
Tensions with supporters, internal osmosis
In a press conference, the Italian-German coach Domenico Tedesco, criticized by part of the media and public opinion, did not seem particularly relaxed despite the qualification. The former RB Leipzig coach first offered a rant against the organization of the match, and in particular the journey between the players’ hotel and the stadium, and the numerous lasers that targeted de Bruyne, before finally declaring himself “proud of his team.”
Seen from the outside, Belgium does not really seem to be bathing in an ocean of tranquility, as noted by Gianni Bruno, the former striker who played notably at Lille, Bastia, Evian Thonon Gaillard and Lorient and now at Eyüpspor, freshly promoted to the Turkish Süper Lig. “We did feel a certain tension in the face of Ukraine, a bit of stress. But we don’t live with the group, things are perhaps going very well…”
Players do not necessarily understand whistles even though they are qualified
However, and unlike the internal crisis that had accompanied the Red Devils’ stay in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup, things seem to be going well internally, as Liège journalist Sacha Tavolieri explains: “Everything is going well, and those who don’t play or play a little don’t make a mess. Relations are very good between the old and new generations. Of course, as in all teams, some have more affinities with others, but everyone gets along well. Which does not prevent the players from being aware that the production against Ukraine was not satisfactory.”
Mbappé, Giroud, system: Against Belgium, what can France improve?
Since the start of the Euro, Belgium has indeed offered a bit of everything, showing itself to be unfortunate and clumsy but not totally off-topic against Slovakia (0-1), offensive and convincing against Romania (2-0) and therefore minimalist last Wednesday. And this mixture of good, average and mediocre is obviously enough to disorient the supporters, “to whom we had sold an offensive, playful, conquering team“, recalls Sacha Tavolieri.
“Against the Ukrainians, we saw players who seemed annoyed, who raised their arms to the sky. I understand the reaction of the players, who do not necessarily understand the whistles even though they are qualified, but also that of the supporters, who expect better in terms of the game. There are indeed tensions between the two parties.continues Gianni Bruno. But more than tensions, Ariel Jacobs does not hesitate to evoke a form of disenchantment.For years, Belgium has been presented as a favorite before each major competition, which it clearly is not this year. And the supporters perhaps don’t want to hear it, hence their reaction.”analyses the former coach of Genk, Anderlecht and Valenciennes.
In Belgian culture, the more you are criticized, the more dangerous you are.
The outcry from Stuttgart would have strengthened the bonds between the players themselves a little more, but also the support they give to their coach.These whistles and criticisms have visibly brought even more cohesion within the group.“, adds Sacha Tavolieri. But a few hours before facing France, whose first round also did not leave an unforgettable memory, should we, as some are probably doing a little too quickly, send the Red Devils on vacation from the end of the evening of July 1st?On what they showed in the group stage, with the exception of the match against Romania, which, despite all the respect I have for them, is not at the level of France, they do not seem to me capable of qualifying for the quarter-finals“, continues Ariel Jacobs. Before adding: “But in Belgian culture, the more you are criticized, the more dangerous you are..”
“The main problem for the Blues is that Giroud and Griezmann are out of their depth”
France will be the objective favourite for this round of 16, which Gianni Bruno readily concedes.The Blues have talent, especially in attack, with Mbappé, Dembélé, Barcola, very fast players while our defense is a little slow. But Belgium as an outsider is perhaps a role that suits it better.”, explains the former Belgian international Espoir, who rather expects an open meeting. In Belgium, the elimination in the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup by France (0-1) while the Red Devils had defeated all their opponents in previous matches has still not been digested. And it’s never too early to take your revenge…
