World Cup: the stakes of the France-Belgium semi-final – CM 2018

CM 2018
            

Blues

Published on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 06:55

The French team faces this Tuesday (21:00) Belgium in the semifinals of the World Cup. With the enticing prospect of a new final, twelve years after the 2006 one.

To know again the thrill of a final
                                    

At the dawn of a World Cup semi-final, we inevitably look at the next, last step. This is the risk that the Blues will face this Tuesday (21:00) against Belgium. Two years ago, at the Euro, the Blues had eliminated Germany (2-0), world champion in title, at the price of a remarkable collective performance. The players of Didier Deschamps will have to reproduce the same thing against the Belgians, just as dangerous or more, to hope to play again the final of a World Cup, which would be the third in the history of the France team.
        

Victorious in 1998 at home and beaten with the most cruel manners in 2006, at the penalty shoot-out by Italy (1-1, 3 tab 5), the tricolor selection was again offered the right to dream. Freed from his goal of the last four and confident after his two previous matches (4-3 against Argentina and 2-0 against Uruguay) perfectly negotiated, the France team presents itself in the best conditions to address this shock. "It will be a very big match. It will be necessary to live it fully and to leave with as little regret as possible, warned the captain Hugo Lloris, Monday in press conference, with the feeling to have to give everything. "

To control the counter-attacks Belgian attacks
                                    

One of the keys to the game will be the ability of the Blues to limit counter-attacks. It is in these phases of play that the Belgians have done very badly in Brazil (2-1) in the quarterfinals and that they like most to evolve.
        

With players who love taking space, Raphaël Varane and his partners will have to be vigilant in the cover and the withdrawal. "Belgium is very successful in its defensive transitions in rapid attacks, warned Deschamps. She does it very well. " Hence the need to adapt for her players. "They have very sharp and very fast players like Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and many others, completed Lloris, suspicious. The answers to be provided will be collective. The mind at this level will be very important. It's all about small details, there will be no room for deconcentration. "

Meeting the Physical Challenge
                                    

Faced with "the impressive power" of Belgium, in the words of Deschamps, Olivier Giroud and his family will have to respond. But the Chelsea striker does not worry about that: "We are very good physically. For my part, a football match is also won in duels. It will be necessary to be efficient of this coast he warned. Everyone is really aware that even if you are less physically fit, you will have to put yourself on the ground " to hope to see again the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow on Sunday, to which all eyes are turned.
        

H.S., In Saint Petersburg