France ought to maintain no concern forward of dealing with Belgium within the spherical of 16 at Euro 2024, in line with Christophe Dugarry.
Les Bleus, who had been among the many favourites previous to the match in Germany, completed second behind Austria in Group D after some unconvincing performances.
Certainly, their targets got here from a Maximilian Wober personal objective and a Kylian Mbappe penalty, with France touchdown themselves within the harder half of the draw together with Spain, Portugal, hosts Germany and last-16 opponents Belgium, who they play on Monday in Dusseldorf.
That has seen their possibilities of successful the trophy slip right down to 13%, in line with Opta’s supercomputer, however waiting for Monday’s conflict with Belgium, Duggary, who gained the World Cup in 1998 and Euros in 2000, feels France don’t have anything to concern.
“In fact, they’ve people, however I don’t see why we ought to be afraid,” Duggary mentioned in his function as a pundit on Rothen s’ignee on RMC.
“If we aren’t able to beating these Belgians, we [will do] nothing on the European Championship.”
2012 – France had not failed to complete high of their group at a serious match (World Cup + EURO) since EURO 2012, ending a run of 5 consecutive tournaments ending in 1st place of their group. Laborious. #FRAPOL pic.twitter.com/SdtV85HVhv
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) June 25, 2024
Dugarry pointed to Belgium’s weak defence as a purpose for France to be assured.
“[Timothy] Castagne, [Wout] Faes, [Jan] Vertonghen who’s 37… They’ve a midfield with [good] gamers, however nobody defends on this group. For me, they’re an enigma.
“[Jeremy] Doku is identical as [Ousmane] Dembele. However given the criticism that we’ve placed on Dembele for the reason that begin of the competitors, we’re not going to say higher about Doku.
“I perceive the Belgian supporters, who’re upset. We’ve been speaking to them for years and years a couple of golden technology. However the golden technology is beginning to now not be golden in any respect. They don’t have any legs, no aggression.”
If France are to make the most of Belgium’s detached performances up to now, then they’ll want their forwards to be firing on all cylinders, one thing defender William Saliba is conscious about.
“It’s true we didn’t rating many targets within the group stage. Once you don’t rating quite a bit, it’s important to be centered,” Saliba mentioned.
“However that’s how it may be when you find yourself enjoying on the highest degree. However I’ve little question that the attackers will likely be there within the spherical of 16 and ship.
“It’s clear that we’ve got to be extra harmful with our set-pieces, particularly me. I believe I haven’t even touched one, so we are able to do higher.”
Belgium’s attackers equally misfired in Group E. In reality, solely Serbia (3.8%) had a poorer shot conversion fee within the group stage than Belgium and France (each 4.2% – two targets from 48 pictures).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
France – Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe netted his first ever objective on the Euros when he put away that penalty towards Poland. It took his tally to 13 targets throughout main tournaments, with solely Michel Platini (14 in 19 video games) ever scoring extra for France.
The brand new Actual Madrid ahead can also be solely two targets away from changing into the third French participant to attain 50 targets in all competitions, after Olivier Giroud (57) and Thierry Henry (51).
13 – Kylian Mbappé equals Simply Fontaine (13) for probably the most targets scored with France in main tournaments (World Cup + EURO) and is now second solely to Michel Platini (14). Captain. #FRAPOL pic.twitter.com/ZATn7iqMtL
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) June 25, 2024
Belgium – Kevin De Bruyne
Through the group stage, Belgium had been the group with the very best share of their line-breaking passes being those who broke the opposition’s defensive position (18%).
And it was De Bruyne who broke the opponent’s defensive position on extra events than every other midfielder (11). If Belgium are to progress, they’ll want their playmaker on high type.
MATCH PREDICTION: FRANCE WIN
France have drawn 5 of their final six Euro matches (one win), having solely drawn 4 of their earlier 25 video games within the competitors (14 wins, seven defeats). Their round-of-16 match at Euro 2020 was a 3-3 draw with Switzerland, with Les Bleus ultimately going out 5-4 on penalties.
Belgium, in the meantime, have superior to the knockout levels of a 3rd consecutive Euros, having reached the quarter-finals in 2016 and 2020. The Pink Devils have gained every of their final 4 last-16 video games at main tournaments since dropping to Brazil within the 2002 World Cup (0-2).
Nevertheless, France have gained all 4 of their earlier matches towards Belgium at main tournaments, scoring 13 targets and conceding solely three.
Their solely earlier assembly on the Euros was 40 years in the past, in 1984 – France gained 5-0 within the group levels courtesy of a Platini hat-trick and targets from Alain Giresse and Luis Fernandez.
This will likely be France and Belgium’s 76th encounter total. Les Bleus have confronted the Belgians practically twice as typically as every other group (39 conferences every with Italy and Switzerland). In the meantime, Belgium have solely confronted the Netherlands (129 instances) on extra events than the French.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
France – 58.4%
Belgium – 20.8%
Draw – 20.8%
