Francevs.Belgium

While Les Bleus lost at home to Italy on Group 2's opening night, the Red Devils claimed maximum points ahead of their trip to Lyon.

Match preview

Though France seized the lead inside 13 seconds of their Nations League opener, at home to Italy on Friday night, they eventually finished up empty-handed, having been undone by a resurgent Azzurri.

In-form forward Bradley Barcola recorded his nation's fastest-ever goal, but Italy equalised in spectacular style and the two teams were level at half time.

France then conceded twice more after the break, ultimately losing at home to their Italian counterparts for the first time in 70 years.

After a sub-par showing at Euro 2024, long-serving coach Didier Deschamps was expected to produce a convincing performance for the Parisian public, but he is now under pressure to avoid defeat against another of Les Bleus' neighbours.

Deschamps was in charge for a French victory in the 2021 Nations League finals, but his team finished a distant third in their group last time around, accruing only five points from six games.

Under UEFA's new format for 2024-25, the nation that finishes bottom of each League A group will be automatically demoted, while third-placed teams must take part in a relegation playoff.

Only the top pair in Group 2 will qualify for a new quarter-final stage, so France are already three points adrift of their main rivals and cannot afford to slip further behind.

Joining Italy at the top of the very early Group 2 table, Belgium saw off Israel on neutral territory to take all three points from their opening match.

Inspired by captain Kevin De Bruyne, the Red Devils won 3-1 in Hungary, where the game was played due to security concerns.

After De Bruyne bagged a brace, he turned down the chance to complete his hat-trick with a penalty, and Lois Openda could even afford to miss from the spot as Youri Tielemans had also scored earlier in an open second half.

Now, Domenico Tedesco's side will seek revenge for their tame exit from Euro 2024, which came at the hands of France just two months ago.

Ultimately, Tedesco is hoping to turn the page on his first tournament in charge and ensure Belgium secure a top-two spot in their Nations League group, before looking towards the 2026 World Cup.

The Belgians were unable to reach the last Nations League finals, and improving on their best placing of fourth overall - recorded back in 2021 - would show they are on the right track.

France Nations League form:

L

France form (all competitions):

D

D

W

W

L

L

Belgium Nations League form:

W

Belgium form (all competitions):

W

L

W

D

L

W

Team News

After Michael Olise was called up for the first time, having impressed at the Olympics as France claimed a silver medal, the Bayern Munich winger started on Friday and will now vie with Ousmane Dembele to keep his place.

Didier Deschamps also brought Bradley Barcola into Les Bleus' lineup against Italy - and to great effect - but has otherwise kept faith with most of his Euro 2024 team; free agent Adrien Rabiot and Inter Milan defender Benjamin Pavard were both dropped, though.

After conceding three goals, Jules Kounde and Dayot Upamecano are candidates for promotion from the bench, while Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani are among the hosts' alternative attacking options.

In addition to the self-imposed absence of Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who has a longstanding rift with Domenico Tedesco, Belgium will again be missing all-time top scorer Romelu Lukaku on Monday, as the new Napoli signing has been rested.

Veteran defender Jan Vertonghen has retired from international football, while Arsenal's Leandro Trossard was not selected, as Tedesco offered some younger players a chance to impress against Israel: Maxim De Cuyper, Celtic new boy Arne Engels and Borussia Dortmund teenager Julien Duranville all made an appearance.

Without Lukaku available, Manchester City pair Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku will again join forces in support of lone striker Lois Openda up front.

France possible starting lineup:

Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Konate, T. Hernandez; Kante, Zaire-Emery; Dembele, Griezmann, Barcola; Mbappe

Belgium possible starting lineup:

Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Theate, De Cuyper; Onana, Tielemans; Bakayoko, De Bruyne, Doku; Openda

We say: France 2-1 Belgium

Winners in each of these nations' last three meetings, France certainly hold a psychological edge over their neighbours - and they will be stung into action by Friday's defeat.

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