Euro 2024: “We are not favourites”, for coach Domenico Tedesco and Belgium, before challenging the Blues

Domenico Tedesco rejettent le statut de favori. MAXPPP – CLEMENS BILAN

"We are not favorites", assured Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco on Sunday, on the eve of facing France in the round of 16 of Euro-2024, Monday (6 p.m.) in Düsseldorf.

"We are not favorites, this time it's clear, but we don't think about it that much. We are just thinking about qualifying, it's not so important to be favorite or outsider, said the Italian technician. To beat the Blues, "we need to be in a very big day, to put out a great match", a- he added.

Tedesco explained that he was not really going to exploit the theme of revenge with his players, after the two recent defeats of the Red Devils in competition against the Blues, the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. (1-0) and the 2021 Nations League (3-2).

"Nothing special", he elaborated. &quot ;It's in our heads, but I'm not going to use it particularly. Anyway, as a coach I always ask my players what they think of the opponent. I never played against France.

Not realistic enough

When asked about the ineffectiveness of his team, Tedesco highlighted "the incredible number of chances we created. We could make a ten-minute video with our chances, and we only scored two goals! But it's like France against Austria, incredible that they only scored one goal in that match!

Finally on the whistles of the Belgian supporters after the 0-0 against Ukraine, the coach said: "Case closed. Fans have the right to express their opinion in any way they wish, just as we have the right to express our disappointment. The fans know we'll need them tomorrow.