Semi Finals Preview – Belgium
vs France
Two more match day left for the cup to go home and
we are nearing the climax of the festival. Belgium will be playing their second ever semifinals
in the world cup while for France it will be the fifth semifinals appearance. At
the start of the world cup though both teams were formidable, I don’t see any
pundits would have given both these teams a chance to reach the final four
stages. Both teams in the pursuit to semifinals beat formidable sides like
Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Japan to reach this stage. In the semifinals
stage prediction becomes much difficult is here the human element takes more weightage
than the skill and most important is holding nerves in crunch moments. Let
us see how both teams performed in the quarter finals.
Probable Line up:
France:
4-2-3-1
Lloris, Pavard – Varane – Umtiti –
Hernandez, Pogba – Kante, mbappe – Griezmann- Tollisso, Giroud
Belgium: 3-4-3
Courtois,
Alderweireld – Kompany – Vertonghen, Dembele - De Bruyne – Witsel - Fellaini,
Chadli – Lukaku – Hazard
Belgium won against Brazil 2-1 with 2 first half
goals will be facing France who has been the best team in terms of Defense. On
the other hand Belgium has been good in defense and better in attack so the
contest seems to be even on paper. Belgium attack has been concentrated from
the flanks and this is where French defense will have to hold the nerves. With
regards to France, Mbappe and Griezemann can sneak across any defense
considering the agility and speed of the both is the battery of the French attack.
With regards to France, they have the world cup
winner as their manager and he is one of the best known players in Europe so
that will be an advantage for sure for French side. Coming to their side,
Lloris has been good in the cup so far with 3 clean sheets will have to hold
the nerves as stopping Belgium from scoring is definitely not an easy task or
not likely to happen. In case of conceding first, equalizing within 10 minutes
(in case of first half) or within 80th minute (in case of conceding
early in second half) is key and for which Pogba, Hernadez, kante have to be on
top of the game.
In similar conceding scenario for Belgium, they are
likely to move to 4 defense system and attack further from flank and have more
possession which will give more potency in attack. In the Brazil game
particularly in final 15 minutes, Belgium lost more possession and they cannot
take those chances in today’s game on all counts. Overall Belgium does have the
edge but France does have the experience. Both Teams are young and both teams
will be even potent in Euro 2020 which will be similar to Euro 2004.
Prediction: Even game on cards with Belgium Edge. Game may go
to 120 minutes but Penalties unlikely to decide the winner.
--
VenkatS
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