France – Belgium, every three years, it’s starting to look like a classic of European football. After episode 1 of the 2018 World Cup semi-final and episode 2 of the 2021 Nations League Final Four, here is episode 3 of Euro 2024, while waiting for episodes 4 and 5, in the fall, in the Nations League.
It is inevitably a question of the past to announce this duel of the neighbors, but it will be necessary, at some point, to move on from it. The best would be to qualify to put an end to the affair and envisage a more joyful continuation of the Euro after a first round too average in view of the potential.
Installed in a part of the table which has the appearance of high mountain stages, to stay in the theme of the Tour de France, Belgium will have to bring out its best climbers, or sprinters, sometimes, to limit the effects of the lively French attack.
An attack that is not in better shape than the Belgian, with barely two goals scored, including an own goal and a penalty. From a distance, this could reassure the Belgian defense, and its midfield, which will have an important role to play. But be careful, all the same, France is already used to switching to competition mode when the road rises.
It’s a bit of this state of mind that Kevin De Bruyne’s teammates will have to seek, to switch to a second part of the tournament where there is no longer a net, like the last minutes against Ukraine in the background. The criticism would be silenced, and the whistles of the supporters forgotten. “We will need to be united”said Domenico Tedesco, speaking as much about his team as about the supporters he will have to support.
guillementIf we review together the number of chances created since the start of the tournament, we have 10 minutes.
Everyone is waiting for an offensive awakening, and Romelu Lukaku’s first goal in the tournament. A question was asked, about the attacker, but it is the entire offensive division which is asking questions. “You’re worried, but I’m not that worried.Tedesco replied. We created an incredible number of chances. If we were to review, together, the number of chances created since the start of the tournament, it would take us ten minutes.”
On the other side of the field, everyone also knows that we will have to maintain solidity at the back and count on Koen Casteels, who put an end to the Courtois controversy throughout the matches, provided it lasts, to prolong the pleasure. And take a little revenge, therefore.
Tedesco, he assures, did not use the 2018 and 2021 meetings to increase the pressure: “I asked the players what their feeling was, and above all they can’t wait to play.” It must be said that times change, and so do players. Vertonghen, De Bruyne, Lukaku, Carrasco and Witsel were on the pitch in 2018 and 2021; Tielemans on the bench in 2018, on the pitch in 2021, just like Castagne and Trossard played in 2021. Theate and De Ketelaere were on the bench in Turin. So there are the other Devils, free of these bad memories and who can bring another energy, Doku for example.
guillementIf France adapts, that means we haven’t done too badly.
In an opposition where possession of the ball must be better used, it will be interesting to see how Tedesco will articulate his team and formalize his intentions. Against Germany and England, the two first-tier nations that Belgium met under his command, in a friendly match, the rapid offensive transitions were extremely effective.
They were less sharp this summer but France is not going to open up the spaces for all that, Didier Deschamps knows the Belgian qualities too well to be wary of them. Belgium can also consider the confrontation in the costume of the outsider, even if Tedesco does not pay too much attention to it. However, this was the feeling broadcast by some players in recent days. The pressure is still there, but not of the same nature.
For the superstitious, a little historical reminder, to finish: in 2021, the Blues won their first match at the Euro on a csc; had conceded a draw in the second group match and had conceded a draw following a penalty to end the group stage. The sequence is similar in 2024. What happens next in 2021? France was eliminated on penalties by Switzerland in the round of 16… after changing its plan to move to the 4-4-2 that Deschamps could use this Monday.
This did not escape Tedesco, who wanted to make it an asset: “The last time France changed its game plan was in 2021. If it adapts, it means that we haven’t done too badly so far.” The work remains to be finished.
