BElgium-France, clap third. For the third time in the space of three months, the Red Devils will cross paths with the Blues, this time as part of the 4th day of Group A2 of the Nations League on Monday in Brussels (8:45 p.m.).
For this 78th Belgian-French duel, the Roi Baudouin stadium will be sold out to push the Devils towards a first success in an official match against France since September 9, 1981. Belgium remains on four consecutive losses against the French: in semi-final of the 2018 World Cup, in the semi-final of the 2021 Nations League and more recently in the round of 16 of Euro 2024 and last September 9 in Lyon during the first leg.
“It can be a source of motivation. I’m the type of person who sees the glass half full. However, we will have to have a great day to win,” Domenico Tedesco said at a press conference on Sunday.
The meeting will also be played without many stars in both camps. On the Belgian side, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku skipped this international window. On the French side, Kylian Mbappé, spared, and Antoine Griezmann, recently retired from the national team, are the two major absentees.
Domenico Tedesco’s players remain in a 2-2 split on Thursday on the lawn of the Olympic stadium in Rome in Italy after being led 2-0 and playing in numerical superiority. The French easily defeated Israel (1-4) during a match played on neutral ground in Hungary.
The Red Devils currently occupy 3rd place in group A2 with 4 points in three matches. A victory this Monday will allow Belgium to overtake France, 2nd with 6 points. Italy leads with 7 points and Israel brings up the rear without a single point.
Here are the probable compositions:
Belgium : Casteels, De Cuyper, Theate, Faes, Debast, Tielemans, Trossard, Mangala, Doku, Openda, De Ketelaere
France : Maignan, Kound, Conate, Saliba, Digne, Tchouameni, Guendouzi, Cone, Dembele, Thuram, Barcola
