Euro 2024: Mbappé and the defense, Kanté and De Bruyne or Koundé facing Doku… Three key duels of France-Belgium

Des duels sur tout le terrain. – MONTAGE MAXPPP

L’équipe de France et la Belgique se disputent, lundi 1er juillet (18 h), un ticket pour les quarts de finale de l’Euro 2024. Un duel lors duquel plusieurs face-à-face seront sans doute déterminants.

This Monday (6 p.m.), in Düsseldorf, a new page in the rivalry between France and Belgium, two less visible nations but in the running for a place in the quarter-finals of the ;Euro. An opposition that could be established through three duels.

Kylian Mbappé facing the Belgian defense

Which defense will the Belgian coach, Domenico Tedesco field?? In three group matches, the Italian has changed his system as many times. And his men. Only Wout Faes and Timothy Castagne have always been part of the rearguard.

Mbappé has already faced the two Red Devils. Only once did Castagne come into play during a Champions League quarter-final between PSG and Atalanta Bergamo in 2020 (2-1). Faes, the oppositions were more numerous since the Belgian with the imposing hair crossed "Kyky" in Ligue 1 with Reims, from 2020 to 2022. For as many defeats and goals from the Frenchman with PSG.

But the now Leicester player is eye-catching and should have an even more decisive role if veteran Jan Verthongen (37), present in 2018 in Russia, is associated with him. Two weeks exactly after his broken nose, Mbappé should find a physical response to him. But if he continued to find legs and get used to his mask, he could also open up spaces.

Kanté-De Bruyne, how we meet again

They are both 33 years old, play in midfield and know each other by heart or almost. N’Golo Kanté and Kevin De Bruyne will face each other for the 15th time in their careers, this Monday. Their duels have often rhymed with Chelsea-Manchester City matches. Each has won a trophy against the other: Kanté a Champions League in a final in 2021, De Bruyne an English League Cup in 2019.

In selection, their only face-to-face took place in Saint Petersburg, during the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup (1-0). The Belgian, very discreet, had been muzzled while Kanté had shone with his work in the shadows.

The two men should meet again in the same area this Monday, "KDB" loving to rezone towards the left of the Belgian attack. Exactly the sector combed mainly by "NG", whose mission will be to prevent the opposing captain from delivering his caviars.

After two first XXL matches, Kanté appeared a little less prominent against Poland last Tuesday. While De Bruyne is gaining momentum, with a goal against Romania and two man of the match trophies.

Koundé-Doku, fight in sight on the wing

If Didier Deschamps actually aligns his team in 4-4-2, without a real winger, the France-Belgium duel could take place in their zone. Jules Koundé, full-back of the Blues, and Jérémy Doku, winger and will-o'-the-wisp of the Red Devils, could face off in a decisive battle.

Doku, undoubtedly the best dribbler of this Euro, has an impressive ability to unbalance opposing blocks. With Manchester City, after Rennes, he imposed a style full of energy. And can establish itself as the detonator, in counterattacks or on placed attacks, of Belgian offensives.

Everything that Koundé must prevent. Author of a good start to the Euro in a position which is not his at Barça, where he plays centrally, the former Bordeaux player should therefore not venture much into his side. And he will have to benefit from the help of his circles to channel the enthusiasm of the young Devil (22 years old).

And also: Lukaku, a Devil to keep in a cage

Fourteen goals out of 22 during the qualifiers, a record, but still silent l’Euro : Romelu Lukaku is a Devil that the Blues will have to keep in a cage this Monday. If he hasn’t been there yet spoiled by the VAR, with three goals refused since the start of the competition, all of Belgium is watching for the awakening of the 31-year-old striker. Impressive muscular mass from the height of his 1.90 m, Lukaku hurt the Blues in October 2021, with a powerful goal in the semi-final of the Nations League (3-2 victory from France). But Dayot Upamecano, despiteé the penalty caused face &agrav; Poland, and William Saliba also have answers in this area.