Like Belgium, France did not convince during the group stage of Euro 2024. However, Domenico Tedesco should not turn everything upside down against Les Bleus. If certain choices will inevitably be made (Mangala or Tielemans, return of Lukebakio on the right), his system should, barring any surprises, remain the same.
This is not the case for Didier Deschamps. If Antoine Griezmann is already announced as a starter, he could upset his entire tactical plan according to the French media. Not satisfied with the offensive animation, the French coach will lean towards a 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield. Objective: to put Mbappé in the best offensive conditions.The coach changes everything, again”commence Eurosport. “Make way for the 4-4-2 diamond. A new system, never tested before, which must put Mbappé in an armchair and have a presence in the box. Finally, scoring will be necessary to reach the quarter-finals and so far, in the game, the Blues have not managed it in 270 minutes.”
“The start or the seum”, “just once”: the French press still pulls the same strings before France-Belgium
In this new configuration, France would play with Rabiot on the left, Kanté on the right, Tchouaméni as a sentinel and Griezmann as playmaker. Thuram would therefore be associated with Kylian Mbappé when the team has the ball. After a few disappointing matches, Ousmane Dembélé would return to the bench.
Blocking De Bruyne’s passing lines
Impressive, this new team will also have to find its defensive formula. This sector of play convinced since the French only conceded one goal against Poland (on penalty), and showed solidity.
If men do not change, this different system necessarily involves adaptations. Logically, Mbappé should remain the only element detached from defensive tasks. Thuram would move to the left to close the spaces while Rabiot would refocus in his natural place. For his part, N’Golo Kanté’s mission would be to block the right side. Not insignificant since it concerns Jérémy Doku (or Joku according to Deschamps), the most dynamic winger of the Red Devils.
With a sentinel, two central midfielders and a number 10, France also wants to deprive Kevin De Bruyne of space in the axis.Whether from the back, or from an off-center position, the Belgians should have difficulty finding a solution in the center, where Kevin De Bruyne plays. The Manchester City leader will have to move wide to find air, which will take him to areas to which he is accustomed at club, on either side of the opposing runners. But the Blues will clearly lose clarity and consistency across the board.”believes L’Équipe for its part.
Euro 2024: France – Belgium, the right time to eliminate the Blues at heart
How to hurt this team?
This is the question that Domenico Tedesco must obviously ask himself. Usually, Jérémy Doku’s mission is to stick his line to the left. On the other side, Lukebakio (if he starts) will use his speed and his good left foot to get into the game and free up space for Castagne. Thuram, who has a sense of sacrifice, but who is not at all a trained defender, will have to defend.
This is perhaps where there is something to play for, according to our colleagues at The team. “If Belgium multiplies the reversals, the French team will suffer. Luckily, its defensive base is not the most comfortable in the long game, but it would not be good if Youri Tielemans, De Bruyne or, to a lesser extent, Jan Vertonghen took charge of it.”
The probable composition of the French team: Maignan – Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez – Tchouaméni – Kanté, Rabiot -Griezmann – Thuram, Mbappé.
