The day of truth has arrived for the Pale Blues as they prepare to face Belgium in the round of 16 of Euro 2024. After a bumpy first round, both teams aim to regain their shine in a match scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. in Düsseldorf. The match will be broadcast by TF1 and beIN SPORTS, and can also be followed live with commentary on our site.
Didier Deschamps has made strategic adjustments to the French lineup, opting for a 4-4-2 diamond formation with Antoine Griezmann supporting attackers Kylian Mbappé and Marcus Thuram. The midfield will be anchored by N'Golo Kanté, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Adrien Rabiot, while the defense will feature the Koundé/Upamecano/Saliba/Hernandez quartet, with Mike Maignan as the goalkeeper. This setup aims to counter Belgium's key players, including Kevin De Bruyne.
France finished second in Group D behind Austria, with a victory against Austria (1-0) and two draws against the Netherlands (0-0) and Poland (1-1). Belgium, on the other hand, finished second in Group E after a loss to Slovakia (0-1), a win against Romania (2-0), and a draw with Ukraine (0-0). Both teams have high ambitions but still need to prove themselves in this tournament.
The winner of the France-Belgium match will face the victor of the Portugal-Slovenia game on July 5 in Hamburg. The semi-final will take place on July 9 in Munich, and the final is scheduled for July 14 in Berlin. Other notable matches include Spain vs. Georgia and Germany in the other quarter-final, with England and the Netherlands also in the mix. Italy has already been eliminated by Switzerland in the round of 16.
Belgium's main threats include captain Kevin De Bruyne, who is the team's technical leader, and Jeremy Doku, who will test Jules Koundé. Romelu Lukaku remains a top attacker despite a slow start in the tournament. Other notable players include Arsenal's Leandro Trossard and several others who are well-known in France.
Historically, Belgium is the team France has faced the most, with 75 encounters resulting in 26 wins, 19 draws, and 30 defeats for France. However, France has only lost two of their last 13 matches against Belgium, with notable victories in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the 2021 Nations League semi-finals.
In a tradition where the captain appears before the press before matches, Kylian Mbappé fulfilled this role before the round of 16 duel against Belgium. After Hugo Lloris' retirement, the captaincy was initially given to Antoine Griezmann but later handed to Mbappé by Deschamps, partly to make Mbappé feel like a national symbol and to delay his signing with Real Madrid.
Deschamps has always sought to balance the team dynamics, especially between Mbappé and Griezmann. The coach has even considered a system change that could benefit both players. Griezmann has been a key player for Deschamps since the 2014 World Cup and has often been the ideological extension of the coach on the field. Despite recent challenges, Deschamps hopes Griezmann and Mbappé will form a lethal partnership in this crucial match.
- The French team is looking to capitalize on their recent form and tactical adjustments to secure a victory against Belgium. The 4-4-2 diamond formation is designed to leverage the strengths of key players like Mbappé, Griezmann, and Kanté, while maintaining a solid defensive structure.
- Belgium's performance has been inconsistent, but they remain a formidable opponent with world-class players like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku. The French defense will need to be at its best to contain these threats and advance to the quarter-finals.
- The historical rivalry between France and Belgium adds another layer of intrigue to this match. With both teams having high ambitions and a lot to prove, this encounter promises to be a thrilling and closely contested battle.
- Kylian Mbappé's new role as captain is a significant development for the French team. His leadership and performance will be crucial in guiding the team through this challenging phase of the tournament. The dynamic between Mbappé and Griezmann will also be a key factor in France's success.
