On one of the most anticipated games of the first knock-out rounds of Euro 2024, Le Bleus eliminated the Red Devils from the possibility of winning their first major tournament. An own goal from veteran Jan Vertonghen was the difference on a close game.
France started the game aggressively and saw three yellow cards before the first 25 minutes. In-possession, Le Blues shifted from a 4-3-1-2 to a more positional 4-3-3 depending on Griezmann’s positioning. With a rather narrow attack to free Kounde, Hernandez, and isolate Mbappe, France struggled to occupy the lateral channels in the first half, and their best progression were long passes to the attacking wing backs. Off the ball, France opted for a mid-block 4-4-2, and often created superiorities in the central channels.
On the other hand, Belgium proposed a positional 3-2-5 in-possession, with De Bruyne as regista, Doku and Castagne as wingbacks, and Carrasco playing in the left half space as a playmaker for the first time in the tournament. In the final third, Belgium occupied all the channels using a 3-1-6. Nonetheless, this offensive positioning did not translate neither on goal chances nor recoveries in the final third, as Belgium’s counter pressing was not effective.
LONG RANGE SHOOTING, KEY TO UNLOCK THE BELGIAN WALL
Off the ball, Belgium used a 4-4-2 in mid-block that quickly transitioned to a 5-3-2 in low block, with Doku as a wingback, giving him more defensive responsibilities than used to. This low block created space for arriving midfielders to shot from outside of the box, an aspect of the game diminished in the last years by fervorous positional managers’ tactics. Tchouameni shot three times from outside the box and displayed one of his main attributes. Since the night at Al Bayt Stadium, he has demonstrated to be a dangerous threat.
OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE PATTERNS
Tchouaméni’s shots in the second half exposed an interesting final third pattern from France. Rabiot is being used as a false winger in the left half space to create width and generate numeric superiorities for Mbappe.
Secondly, Kante roaming in the half spaces usually frees up space in central channels.
Thirdly, Doku was still playing as a wing -back out of possession in the second half.
Finally, we continue observing how the Belgian team has at least 5 players at all moments in the box during a low block, allowing time and space for the shot.
BALL INTERACTIONS, POINT OF DIFFERENCE
Belgium lacked constant interlineal progression and interactions, and quick offensive transitions seemed to generate more danger for the French. Therefore, more possessions were lost on a game planned for fast transitions. Even though Mangala’s addition in the midfield gave more freedom to De Bruyne, his contribution did not translate on increased ball recovery.
- Lukaku, Doku, and Openda had an evening to forget, loosing 28 balls combined.
- Doku’s position did not contribute to exploit the best of him and both Lukaku’s and Openda’s defensive contribution was poor.
DÜSSELDORF ARENA PLUS FRANCE EQUALS OWN GOAL
In one of the most unexpected coincidences of the tournament, France won against Austria with an own goal in Düsseldorf, the same place they sent Belgium to Brussels with a late own goal!
REPORT PREPARED BY THE STUDENTS OF SPORTS DATA CAMPUS:
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