France will hope to secure their second win of the international break when they face Belgium on Monday night.
On Monday night, the UEFA Nations League presents an enticing match between two neighbouring footballing giants, Belgium and France. Both sides have experienced mixed fortunes in the group stages thus far, making this contest pivotal to their progression in the tournament.
Belgium’s recent form has been a tale of contrasts. They have shown flashes of brilliance but have also been guilty of inconsistency. In their last outing, Belgium managed to snatch a 2-2 draw against Italy, a result that might feel like a missed opportunity.
Domenico Tedesco’s side found themselves 2-0 down early on and struggled to impose themselves initially. However, the dynamic of the game shifted dramatically after Lorenzo Pellegrini’s red card, allowing Belgium to stage a comeback with goals from Maxim De Cuyper and Leandro Trossard.
The match was not without controversy, as Belgium were denied a potential penalty and a red card for Alessandro Bastoni, which could have tilted the result in their favour. Despite the draw, Belgium remain in third place. But with home games against their heavyweight rivals to come, the Red Devils will believe they still have a strong chance of advancing.
Belgium’s attack, spearheaded by Lois Openda, has proven to be a persistent threat. But they will need to tighten up defensively if they are to secure a win against their in-form neighbours.
Les Bleus, on the other hand, comes into the match with momentum. After a surprising 3-1 defeat to Italy on Matchday 1, Didier Deschamps’s men have responded with back-to-back wins. In their last outing, France dispatched Israel 4-1 in a thoroughly dominant performance. The scoreline reflects their superiority, as Israel barely threatened, with their only goal coming from their lone shot of the game.
Deschamps’s men have fond memories of recent competitive encounters with Belgium. France won 2-0 in their last meeting just over a month ago and also emerged victorious at the Euros last year. Additionally, they triumphed 3-2 in a dramatic Nations League semi-final in 2021 and edged out the Red Devils in the 2018 World Cup semi-final.
France’s attacking depth, led by players like Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, will be crucial, but they will also be wary of Belgium’s counter-attacking prowess. A win in this match could almost guarantee France a top-two finish in the group, particularly with a home match against Israel still to come. The Hard Tackle delves into the potential elevens and tactics for this highly-anticipated clash.
Team News & Tactics
Belgium
Belgium will likely be without key players Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, both of whom continue to recover from injuries and are not expected to feature in this match. Additionally, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois remains unavailable due to a long-term knee injury, with Koen Casteels continuing to deputise in goal as Matz Sels is also unavailable. Domenico Tedesco will also be missing Amadou Onana, who picked up a minor knock in training and is unlikely to be risked against France.
In terms of formation, Belgium are expected to line up in a 5-2-3 system, focusing on defensive solidity and pace in the attacking transitions. Koen Casteels will retain his place between, with a five-man defence comprising Timothy Castagne and Maxim De Cuyper operating as wing-backs, while Zeno Debast, Wout Faes, and Arthur Theate form the central defensive trio. The formation can pivot to a 3-4-2-1 when in attack.
In midfield, Youri Tielemans and Orel Mangala will provide balance, with Tielemans acting as the creative outlet and Mangala tasked with breaking up France’s attacks. Up front, Belgium will rely on the attacking trio of Leandro Trossard, Lois Openda, and Jeremy Doku. Trossard and Doku will operate as wide forwards, using their pace and trickery to stretch the French defence, while Openda will lead the line as the central striker.
Probable Lineup (5-2-3): Casteels; Castagne, Debast, Faes, Theate, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Mangala; Trossard, Openda, Doku
France
France will be missing several key players for this match against Belgium. Kylian Mbappe has pulled out of the squad after being rushed back too soon from injury by his club, while Antoine Griezmann has recently announced his international retirement, citing that he does not want to be involved unless he is a regular starter.
Additionally, N’Golo Kante was not called up after missing his latest club game, and Adrien Rabiot has also been left out due to a lack of playing time at Marseille. These absences will force Didier Deschamps to make some key changes to his starting lineup, potentially giving chances to younger players like Bradley Barcola and Matteo Guendouzi.
France are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation. Mike Maignan will start in goal, while the back four will likely feature Jules Kounde at right-back, Ibrahima Konate and William Saliba in central defence, and Theo Hernandez at left-back.
As for the midfield unit, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Matteo Guendouzi will form a trio, with Guendouzi possibly coming in after his impactful performance off the bench against Israel.
In attack, Michael Olise is expected to start on the right wing, while Bradley Barcola may be deployed on the left after scoring in the previous game. Randal Kolo Muani will likely lead the line as the central striker, tasked with spearheading France’s offence against Belgium’s defence.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Theo Hernandez; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Guendouzi; Olise, Kolo Muani, Barcola
Key Stats
- France have had the upper hand in recent competitive meetings against Belgium, having won their last three encounters, including a 2-0 victory in the UEFA Nations League last month and a 3-2 comeback win in the 2021 Nations League semifinals.
- Belgium have been strong at home in recent matches, winning four of their last five home games across all competitions.
- In their last three competitive games, France have scored eight goals, including a 4-1 win over Israel in their most recent outing. The French attack, even without Kylian Mbappe, has been potent, with a wide range of players stepping up in front of goal.
- Belgium have lost just one of their last seven competitive matches. Their ability to bounce back was highlighted in their 2-2 draw with Italy, where they came back from 2-0 down despite being dominated for a large portion of the game.
- France have conceded only four goals in their last five competitive matches, including a clean sheet in their last match against Israel. Their strong defensive core, led by players like William Saliba and Ibrahima Konate, will be crucial in keeping Belgium’s attack at bay.
Player to Watch
Barclay Barcola
Bradley Barcola has quickly emerged as a key attacking force for Paris Saint-Germain, with his pace, creativity, and goalscoring ability making him a standout talent. After coming off the bench and scoring in France’s recent victory over Israel, Barcola will be eager to continue his form against Belgium. His versatility allows him to operate effectively on either flank, and his ability to beat defenders one-on-one makes him a dangerous asset in the final third.
With Kylian Mbappe unavailable, the 21-year-old winger could step into a more prominent role in France’s attack, using his dynamic movement and goal-scoring instinct to trouble Belgium’s defence. Expect Barcola to be a key outlet for France’s offence, offering width, pace, and a direct approach that could prove decisive in the outcome of this game.
Prediction
Belgium 1-2 France
Belgium and France always provide a fascinating contest, and this match will likely be no different. While Belgium has the home advantage, France’s recent dominance in head-to-head encounters and their superior form make them slight favourites.
Belgium’s defensive vulnerabilities could be exploited by the pace and creativity of France’s attack, but with home support and an improved showing in their previous game, Belgium will not go down without a fight. Expect a close encounter, with France’s quality in the final third proving decisive as they edge out a resilient Belgian side.