Belgium is already on its knees before France

This Euro 2024 round of 16 match is offering us quite a poster. Even if it is true that in the content and the game proposed both Blues and Red Devils can do much better, there will be some very good world on the pitch of the Düsseldorf Arena. A duel marked by the emerging rivalry between the two countries. On the side of Belgium, there is clearly a desire to take revenge on this 2018 World Cup and the famous “same”.

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And the Belgians have prepared well for this clash. Domenico Tedesco has taken note of Deschamps’ tactical changes, who should use a 4-4-2 against the Belgians. “We know the last time they played with this system was in 2021. It’s a pretty good sign for us that a team wants to adapt to what we offer. This means that what we are doing is not so bad. But it can also be about them making tactical adjustments that have to do with the way they play. Regardless of who will play and what system will be favored, I think we can all agree that this France team has a lot of quality. In this kind of match you have to adapt quickly and be aware of more things. There can only be one plan, that would be too easy, we need to have several, we need a great capacity to adapt”explained the coach of the flat country.

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Belgian players put pressure on France

Our Belgian neighbours clearly label France as favourites. “There is a lot of quality in the French. They can probably make two starting elevens… maybe even four. To beat France, we have to play very, very well. Maybe France has to be a little less. And we also have to take our chances. You’re not going to have ten chances against them. The ones you get, you have to score. We’ve had chances in all three games, but we haven’t been effective so far. Kylian Mbappé is incredible. He can change a game in a second thanks to his speed. He scores a lot of goals, he’s always dangerous. The quality is there, in him and in other players.”thus launched Kevin de Bruyne to the RTBF.

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Orel Mangala also wanted to highlight the level of the Blues: “It’s a very exciting match coming up. I don’t think it’s a match between two sick teams. France has many qualities, but so do we. We will do everything to win. They are favorites because they know this kind of issue. I’m playing in Lyon so everyone gave me a bit of a shock. Before the tournament, I was told to have a good Euro, but just not to take out France”. Philippe Albert, former Belgian international and consultant for the RTBFalso gave the Blues the status of favorite: “It’s not easy because this French team is unpredictable. They are bad during one match and they are capable of transcending themselves the next. Without Emiliano Martinez’s miraculous save for Argentina, the French would have two consecutive World Cups. I expect us to suffer, I hope we will keep our heads down. Offensively, we have the weapons to hurt them. Defensively, France leaves nothing to its opponents. That’s the big difference compared to us. One of our best players since the start of the competition is Koen Casteels. Without the prowess of our goalkeeper, I don’t know if we would be in the last 16. We must nevertheless remain confident and hope that the Devils play a match at 100%, or even more, of their possibilities. Also hope that the Blues are having a bad day. From that point on, I am convinced that we can take them out.”. But it is on the ground that France will have to prove that it has the level to beat the Belgians and go far…