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France and Belgium faced about the same issue in the preparation of the World Cup. Can a team with a great individual talent collectively deliver the goods at the highest level?
The remaining European teams in their respective quarterfinals, European neighbors have come a long way in the categorical answer to this question. Who did it best will be known when they face the semifinal at Krestovsky Stadium on Tuesday.
If they win, Belgium will score its first World Cup final. France, if it qualifies for its third final, may look to repeat the victory of 20 years ago.
There were times when they did not seem convincing in this campaign, but France and Belgium are at the peak of time. France dominated its group after being slumped 2-1, 1-0 to Australia and Peru, then drew 0-0 against Denmark.
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They then reached the summit – at least the attack – in a suspense of 4-3 with Argentina in the eighth finals. Against Uruguay, they did not replicate the performance in the future, but they made up with a compound display defensively, ensuring a 2-0 win.
Against a Belgian side boasting of one of the best offensive players, France will need an even better performance at their last one when they kept the Uruguayan attack in check.
The return of Blaise Matuidi after serving a suspension of a match will revive France. The Juventus midfielder should badociate with Nolo Gante Kante in central midfield with Paul Pogba in front of them. The inclusion of Matuidi should be the only change for Didier Deschamps
Tussle in the middle
He and Kante will be engaged in a battle with the Belgian Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard, and the result of these individual battles could determine how the link oscillates.
Kylian Mbappe's French triumvirate striker, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud grew up in every game and Deschamps should not tinker with this formation
. Back, Raphael Varane and Samuel Umtiti will face the threat of Romelu Lukaku, who led the deadly attacks against Belgium. This is Belgium's ability to quickly move from defense to the attack of which France will be most suspicious and Lukaku will likely be the subject of careful scrutiny by Varane & Co.
Coach Roberto Martinez, center, talks to his players session.
(AP)
Roberto Martinez's Belgium will miss right winger Thomas Meunier, due to a suspension. In the absence of the man who helped Neymar in the 2-1 win over Brazil, it remains to be seen whether Martinez opts for a four-player backline instead of his three favorite.
Thomas Vermaelen could begin although Belgium may have to put fortune defenders on the line when they go on a defense to four
Fellaini factor
Marouane Fellaini started alongside Axel Witsel against Brazil last week. To counter the superiority of France in midfield, we expect Fellaini to attack again. Manchester United's lanky midfielder could be instructed to follow his teammate Pogba as well as Griezmann
How Martinez uses his three forwards is not clear. Against Brazil, he put De Bruyne in an advanced false role and he shook the South Americans while Lukaku moved wide defense on the right.
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The pace, positioning and strength of the Lukaku center forward make him an badet of the right. However, having used the tip against Brazil, Martinez can not try it right away against France.
Eden Hazard, on the other hand, was the main creative outlet for Belgium. He often dropped deep to let De Bruyne and Lukaku prosper. The trio has developed a great camaraderie and Martinez hopes that they will be able to get out of it again.
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