For the third time this year, the French team emerged victorious from its meeting with Belgium. After the round of 16 of the Euro in July (1-0), and the first leg in this Nations League last month (2-0), the Blues won against the Red Devils (2-1), this Monday, October 14 at the Roi-Baudouin stadium, in Brussels.
Once again, the meeting was balanced, but Aurélien Tchouaméni’s teammates once again gave a lesson in realism, allowing France to leave with the three points, four days later the heavy victory against Israel (4-1), and to get a little closer to the quarter-finals of this edition, with five points ahead of their evening opponent.
Didier Deschamps was able to count on the loyalty of “RKM”, in difficulty at PSG, who scored his first double in the selection: a calm penalty in the 35th minute, and a superb header off a cross from Lucas Digne shortly after the hour mark. The coach will therefore be able to breathe a little, while the selection is in a gloomy extra-sporting period, between the retirement of Antoine Griezmann and the Kylian Mbappé controversy.
Defensive difficulties
For the 200th match as assistant to Guy Stéphan, the defense had a difficult evening. William Saliba played his worst match in Blue. He cost a penalty on a huge slip causing him to mow down Loïs Openda, who had nevertheless missed his catch. Youri Tielemans first pardoned the “Gunner” by shooting his penalty over the top (23rd), but William Saliba did not return to the match.
It is one of his many failed restarts which gives the ball back to the Belgians for the equalizerwhere he was also beaten by the head by Loïs Openda. In great difficulty, the French defender also lost a ball alone leading to a big opportunity for Jérémy Doku (29th).
He was better in the second half, but he was no longer the sovereign defender who had won his starting place at the Euro, at the expense of Ibrahima Konaté, with whom he was associated at the King Baudouin stadium. The other member of the hinge did a little less worseMonday evening. The Liverpool player made a few saves, but he also lost a ball offering an opportunity to Openda (18th) and was warned for a serious foul on Timothy Castagne (45th).
At the left side position, Lucas Digne also suffered, against Jérémy Doku. The Manchester City winger, who had failed to pass Jules Koundé once during the round of 16 at the Euro (1-0 for France), was shifted to the right and played on the right side. ‘Aston Villa.
Lucas Digne, early warned (7th) for a foul on Jérémy Doku, even found himself with his nose in the lawn after a diabolical hook in the area (12th). Fortunately he serves “RKM” on the winning goal. Didier Deschamps, who had only changed four players compared to Israel, did not have many answers. But he won.
Even captain Aurélien Tchouaméni passed through, excluded for a second warning when he mowed down Tielemans who was heading towards goal (76th). The only satisfaction with Randal Kolo Muani was Bradley Barcolapunchy and full of ease, causing the penalty for a gross hand fault from Wout Faes.
Read more
Related News :