Two pre-tournament favourites who have yet to hit their stride meet for a place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals when France play Belgium today.
France were tipped by many to win these Euros, such is their depth of talent in almost every position. But the 2022 World Cup finalists have stuttered so far, beating Austria thanks to an own goal before draws against Holland and Poland saw them through in second place.
Didier Deschamps is set to switch to a 4-4-2 formation with a midfield diamond tonight in a bid to spark the French. The new system will get his best players in their preferred positions but has never been tried before, so is a gamble.
Antoine Griezmann will play in the No10 role and Marcus Thuram will partner Kylian Mbappe up front.
“This team has tactical problems and, other than Mbappe, the attacking players have not been good,” says L’Equipe journalist Pierre-Etienne Minonzio.
“There is huge disappointment in France. It’s comparable to England: a gap between what was expected and the content of games.”
France have at least defended well, conceding just one penalty so far.
“We didn’t expect [Arsenal’s William] Saliba would start, and he’s been very good,” adds Minonzio. “So have N’Golo Kante and [goalkeeper] Mike Maignan.
“Deschamps is the world master of knockout games, but [the route to the final] seems too complicated for us this time. France can only win the Euros if Mbappe is like [Michel] Platini was in 1984,” says Minonzio, recalling Platini’s nine-goal haul en route to winning Euro 84.
This summer is the last chance for Belgium’s ageing golden generation. They have struggled so far and were jeered by their fans after their 0-0 draw with Ukraine last week.
“The feeling is that we have not shown our potential,” says Belgian football journalist Kristof Terreur. “We have been too cautious. The players were surprised by the reaction and decided not to greet the fans.
“Kevin De Bruyne — the heartbeat of the team — has turned up, but Romelu Lukaku has scored three disallowed goals and missed chances he normally buries.
“Most Belgians think we will get eliminated by France.”
