Euro 2024: The moment of truth for the Blues, everything you need to know about this day

Foot – Euro 2024

Euro 2024: The moment of truth for the Blues, everything you need to know about this day

Published on July 1, 2024 at 8:24 a.m.

This Monday, Euro 2024 resumes in style with a clash between France and Belgium in Düsseldorf at 6 p.m. The Blues must absolutely step up their game in order to hope to go all the way in this tournament, while at 9 p.m., Portugal will try to avoid a surprise elimination against Slovenia in Frankfurt. Presentation of this day.

Announced as one of the big favourites for this Euro 2024, The french team disappointed so far. With only one victory on the clock, but also with only one goal scored and this by Kylian Mbappé from the penalty spot, the lack of efficiency of the Blues worries observers. Clearly, facing the Belgium This Monday, the training of Didier Deschamps will have to raise his voice.

For this second 8th final of the day, the Portugal will face a surprising team of Slovenia. Expected at the turning point, the partners of Cristiano Ronaldo have no right to make a mistake this Monday evening at Frankfurtand must bounce back after a dazzling setback against the Georgia (2-0).

France versus Belgium, a rivalry once again maintained?

Never in its historyFrench team did not bow to the Belgium in a major international competition (four matches, four victories). This Monday’s meeting between the French and Belgians in the round of 16 therefore promises to be crucial. Especially since for the moment, neither of the two teams will have really stood out. Soporific at the start of the tournament, the France must clearly raise their level of play in order to hope to secure a place in the quarter-finals.

“They weren’t sleeping. They never slept. The group has always been concerned and attentive. I have a very large group. Obviously, there are players disappointed because they haven’t played a minute, but still happy… There is now this shift and the stakes that are there lead to a greater requirement. To be implemented on the ground. We’ve had a longer week already. I feel like the players were concerned from the start… Afterwards what happened and they know why they are there and what the objective is tomorrow”explained however Didier Deschamps in a pre-match press conference this Sunday.

If the France will tackle a new competition this Monday, this is also the case for Belgium. Because as his coach recalled Dominic GermanTHE Red Devils will not be expected at the turning point or at least as favorites in this clash against the Blues: “For the first time, we are not favourites. I don’t know if it’s a good thing or not. In the end, it’s not that important to me. We just want to qualify for the quarter-finals. The key will be not to be nervous, to be brave and above all to start this match believing. Everyone knows that we will have to be on a very good day.”.

Portugal without problems against Slovenia?

Also announced among the favorites of this Euro, the Portugal was also disappointed. The band at Cristiano Ronaldo remains on a heavy defeat (2-0) against the Georgiaand must now raise his level of play in this 8th final against the Slovenia. “This is a new competition that begins now. (…) It is time to show our talent and our potential”said the coach Robert Martinez in a press conference before this round of 16.

Eliminated at this stage of the competition three years ago, the Portugal wants to be among the big names in European football again, and that will require a convincing victory against the Slovenia. But beware of missteps for the Portuguese, who will face players eager to make history this Monday evening at Frankfurt : “It’s a historic moment, we’re taking advantage of it, but it’s not over. There are no more small teams, everyone can beat everyone. We want to create a surprise, and for this fairy tale to end as happily as possible.”recalled the Slovenian midfielder Adam Gnezda Cerin about this shock…