The trend is not one of optimism in the Belgian camp before Monday’s match. Everyone wanted to avoid France, but now that the Devils will meet the Blues, you have to believe it: here are 5 reasons why Belgium can beat France in the round of 16.
1. France fails to score
There is a serious efficiency problem on the French side. Like the Devils, the French team scored two goals in this tournament… but unlike us, the Blues didn’t score any from open play or of their own making – a self-goal and a penalty.
The crisis of confidence that Romelu Lukaku is going through can be put into perspective by his three canceled goals; France’s shortage, on the other hand, is real. Even if the French “expected goals” are particularly high, the observation of a team which struggles to find the net is there. For our part, we have only conceded one goal in three matches: the Blues should not score the goals this Monday in Düsseldorf.
2. A Koen Casteels in a state of grace
Point 1 and point 2 are linked: against Poland, the French created an impressive number of chances but fell on a fiery Lukasz Skorupski. The Bologna goalkeeper stopped everything: 7 saves and a well-deserved man of the match trophy. And Belgium has its own Skorupski: Koen Casteels is unbeatable in this Euro 2024.
Without him, Slovakia would have broken away, Romania would have equalised and Ukraine would have beaten us. It’s as simple as that. If Kevin De Bruyne was voted man of the match twice, Casteels deserved the title, at least once. The new Al-Qadsiah goalkeeper is experiencing his biggest international test, and is passing it so far with flying colours. If Belgium qualifies on Monday (for example on penalties…), he could even almost make us forget a certain TC..
3. Romelu Lukaku will wake up
Little hint: when was the last series of 4 matches without scoring for Romelu Lukaku in the national team? The answer will surprise you: it was… in 2018. Yes: at the World Cup. Big Rom’ had not scored against Japan, against Brazil, against France, and not even in the small final against England.
That was 6 years ago, and so Lukaku has something to prove: that he can be present in big moments. Yes, against Brazil, he had a very big match, but for a 9, finding the net is special. His last goal in a knockout match in a major tournament was for nothing (1-2 against Italy at Euro 2020). After three frustrating matches, it’s time to wake up and score against France… like in 2021, in the semi-final of the Nations League (a goal, but a 2-3 defeat).
4. Devils will have a pride reaction
The images after Ukraine-Belgium are still fresh, and will certainly still be present in everyone’s minds this Monday in Düsseldorf. Those of the supporters, as well as those of the players. Kevin De Bruyne may well feign his usual detachment, we also felt he was very annoyed and even a little sad after the match.
All the Devils seemed frustrated, lost and even shocked at the treatment given to them by their supporters. There are two ways to react to it: give up or have a burst of pride. Playing against France with the attitude sometimes seen against Ukraine (no pressing, angry gestures, no initiative…) would be catastrophic, and is even unimaginable. The Devils owe us a reaction, and it will come.
5. Domenico Tedesco goes enfin oser
Student Tedesco had brilliantly passed his school year, but is failing his exams. Another failed attempt against France and we won’t be far from repeating a year, even if the school director (Piet Vandendriessche, CEO of the Belgian Union) has assured the opposite.
To avoid leaving Euro 2024 with his head down, Domenico Tedesco will have to dare. It doesn’t matter if the Devils are eliminated: if they are, it will have to be by having shown personality, strong choices, proactive changes. And the coach will do it, because he has no choice. We should no longer find Leandro Trossard in the eleven, and we could even finally see Charles De Ketelaere come into the game. It’s up to you, herr Tedesco…
