With many pending issues, particularly for Belgium, in a confrontation full of intense rivalry and without the presence of several stars such as Mbappé, De Bruyne, Lukaku and Griezmann, the national teams of Belgium and France face each other tonight at 8:45 p.m. Brussels, in a crucial match for the aspirations of both teams in the Nations League. A victory would allow Tedesco’s team to throw their hat in the ring for qualification to the final phase, while a French victory would virtually seal their progression to the second round (follow the match live on As.com).
The World Cup runners-up beat Israel 4-1 on Thursday, dispelling doubts that had arisen during the last international break. The absences of Griezmann and Mbappé, despite the game lacking intensity, did not go unnoticed too much, meaning that Deschamps could field the same starting eleven that beat the Israelis in Budapest. Camavinga, with a goal and an assist, is pushing for a starting spot in a game that could firmly cement him in a team where, so far, since his debut four years ago in the Nations League against Croatia, he has struggled to secure a place. regular.
Belgium, for its part, managed to rescue a valuable draw in Italy after being 2-0 down and having been on the ropes. Of the so-called Golden Generation, considered one of the best national teams in the world despite not having won major trophies, only Tielemans remains, isolated in a team that lacks Courtois, De Bruyne, Lukaku, among many others, members of a generation that never lived up to the great expectations placed on it.
In fact, the last meeting between the two, in Germany during the last Euro, ended with a 1-0 victory for France, marking the last breath of Belgium’s best generation. Now, with a new wave led by Tielemans and with players like Mangala, Doku, Trossard and Openda, Tedesco’s men dream of surprising the French team, whom they view with fear after numerous recent matches, including the semifinals of the Nations League 2021.
The tricolor team could even afford a draw to keep their Nations League hopes alive, suggesting Deschamps might not make many rotations. The coach has tried to downplay Mbappé’s absence by doing what he has done best in the last decade: managing the squad. Handing the captaincy to Tchouameni, giving leading roles to Camavinga, emphasizing the importance of Koundé and Theo on the flanks, and trusting in the quality of Nkunku and Olise to fill the void left by Griezmann are anticipated to be crucial to overcoming a Belgian team that the coach has learned to deal with.
Belgium: Castles; Castagne, Debast, Faes, Theate, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Mangala; Trossard, Openda, Doku.
France: Maignan; Counde, Conate, Saliba, Theo Hernandez; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Nkunku; Olise, Col., Barcola.
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