Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps is making further changes to his starting eleven against Belgium this Monday.
It’s D-Day. The French team and Belgium face each other this Monday, July 1, 2024 at the Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf for the round of 16 of Euro 2024 in Germany. A match that must be won to hope for a place in the next round to become the fifth qualified team after Switzerland, Germany, England and Spain. For this shock, Didier Deschamps slightly changes the formation used against Poland on the last day of the group stage.
The Blues and the Red Devils, a mutual distrust
Qualified for the round of 16 well before its last match, the French team finished in second place in group D with 5 points behind Austria (1time, 6 points) after its draw against Poland (1-1) on the last day. Belgium also did the same by finishing second in a group E where all teams finished with 4 points.
(C)Getty Images
It’s a reunion for France and Belgium. Even if the Blues took over the Red Devils twice, notably during the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup (1-0) and the Nations League (2-3), the two selections are wary this time towards each other. The Belgian coach, Domenico Tedesco, and his captain Kevin De Bruyne believe that the Blues are favorites once again.
Article continues below
Defense remains intact
Didier Deschamps’ surprise this evening concerns the tactical plan. While the Blues played with a 4-3-3 system from the start of the competition until then, the French technician saw fit to shake up this formation to give way to a 4-4-2 with which he ended up on the roof of the world in 2018 in Russia. Number 1 goalkeeper of the Blues, Mike Maignan will be present in the goals.
Getty
As has been the case since the start of the tournament in Germany, the defence will not change. The former coach of Olympique de Marseille is once again trusting his four untouchable men since the match against Austria (0-1). Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba and Théo Hernandez should be retained in front of the last French bulwark.
Dembélé sacrificed in attack
The three midfielders, including N’Golo Kanté, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot should keep their places who will be accompanied by Antoine Griezmann who would play as a playmaker, in support of Marcus Thuram and Kylian Mbappé. The goal is to increase the Blues’ presence in the penalty area and bring several players closer to their preferred position.
Getty
For his part, Ousmane Dembélé, who has been little seen in recent matches despite a penalty obtained against Poland, will be sacrificed against Belgium. Bradley Barcola, who had his first minutes in Blue as a starter against the Poles, will be on the bench against the Red Devils.
The expected line-up of the Blues against Belgium
Maignan – Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, T. Hernandez – Kanté, Tchouaméni, Rabiot – Griezmann – M. Thuram, Mbappé
