WC 2018 | Semi-Finals | France Vs Belgium

Final before the final

can't wait for Fellaini to dominate Griezmelt

Expect France to win, but Belgium have given themselves a chance now they are not continuing with that awful De Bruyne in front of a back 3 nonsense they were trying.

Two teams with most immigrants in their NT ufff

All hail immigration @Unique

Belgium played tactically smart against Brasil, but I don't know can they do the same against France, on paper it looks to me like France have the answers to whatever approach Belgium take. So, then it would be down to individual skill and I think France have the edge there.

France will regain their small team status. Belgium will be the new big thing

Chadli - Witsel -Fellaini

versus

Kante - Pogba - Matuidi

Only comparable is Matuidi tbh

Bigger thing is Meunier is suspended and they'll likely move one of their CBs wide. No way in the world our strikers are as clumsy as Brazil's.

I expect a good game... but one that we'll control. Just need to contain DeBruyne and Hazard enough and, with Kante there to support the back 4 that is MUCH better than Brazil's, I think we will do fine.

Cautiously optimistic.

Honestly France should win this.

France have this imo.

They have the midfield and defence to stifle Belgium's attack and are pragmatic enough to keep their full-backs back if they have to, so Belgium might not be able to counter them like they did Brazil.

Belgium can't seem to control a game with their midfield and have been really last-ditch in their defending. Brazil pushed them a lot and were unlucky.

Of course, with Belgium's quality up front you can't rule them out entirely. But I think France are well-equipped to counter their threats and have been finding ways to goal even if their team isn't all that cohesive up front.

France Vs Croatia/England final seems very likely lol

Allow it RG, let's beat Sweden first

RealGunner wrote:France Vs Croatia/England final seems very likely lol

A semi-final comprised of France, Croatia, Belgium, and England isn't as " surprising " as some people are making it out to be. all four teams have made it to this far in the past and 2 of them have won the world cup.

our lack of cohesion has mostly to do with our fullbacks having NEVER played for NT before the WC prep....  I mean ever.  They made the team only recently and I think Hernandez started one game prior to WC prep.  Our tactics rely a lot on the wide strikers using the fullbacks for overlaps and it's been a work in progress their so the front 3 look isolated at times.  Getting much better.

The big difference with Pavard and Hernandez is that they don't make mistakes and they're very good defenders.  So we're more solid and give up very few clear chances.

Griezmann is just starting to find his rhythm too.  He was poor in pool play and was pretty good against both Argentina and Uruguay.  He hasn't had a typical game for himself yet.. and we're still through.  That's the encouraging part.

Lloris, defense and midfield are carrying us.

As far as Argentina, Di Maria scored a crazy long range shot and the second goal was a deflection.  Only Aguero's goal was legit and that was in the 93rd min on a sublime pass from Messi.

Not impregnable like in 1998...  but our forwards are better.

farfan wrote:A semi-final comprised of France, Croatia, Belgium, and England isn't as " surprising " as some people are making it out to be. all four teams have made it to this far in the past and 2 of them have won the world cup.

Tbf those teams have only beaten teams they should beat.

Belgium beating Brazil is the only surprise tbf, although Belgium and England losing to teams they should beat wouldn't surprise anyone historically.

But like i said we gotta beat Sweden first I don't consider it a shoe-in at all.

farfan wrote:A semi-final comprised of France, Croatia, Belgium, and England isn't as " surprising " as some people are making it out to be. all four teams have made it to this far in the past and 2 of them have won the world cup.

But it I think it's the first time in ages there's no Brazil, Italy or Germany in a semi final. Not sure when has that happened before

Also I wouldn't rule out Russia making it to the last 4 either even though Croatia should be winning it

First time ever none of Brazil, Germany and argentina are in the semis.

Belgium Vs England would be the ultimate Brexit vs Yurop match.

BarrileteCosmico wrote:First time ever none of Brazil, Germany and argentina are in the semis.

Belgium Vs England would be the ultimate Brexit vs Yurop match.

Since Italy has been in the semis 8 times and Argentina 4 times, that assertion is rather limited.

breva wrote:

BarrileteCosmico wrote:First time ever none of Brazil, Germany and argentina are in the semis.

Belgium Vs England would be the ultimate Brexit vs Yurop match.

Since Italy has been in the semis 8 times and Argentina 4 times, that assertion is rather limited.

This is France's 7th semifinal too... 5th starting in 1982. We're a bigger team than Argentina and part of the elite since the 80s.

am I whatching Euros or what

Best continent around, putting it out there ffs

Menuier's replacement at that RWB position, who will it be anyone know?

In a way the two plays play a bit similar with 3 attackers if u take Belgiums tactic for this game, which I guess would be used again, so it could take out to be quite a similar matchup with the two teams doing the same thing and being cautious since its a semi final.

Belgium were a bit lucky but they certainly defended well enough. Vs France it will be against Mbappe too who is fast while Belgium are all pretty slow, so thats worrying. Giroud shouldnt be that much of a problem, Griezemann is usual dangerous but I guess if Belgium play with the 2 DMs again it should be ok. Other than the only worry is Pogba if he can be kept quite Belgium really has a chance, guessing that means even De Bruyne/Hazard/Lukaku has to doing some pressuring/defending on the guy.

Similar to Brazil, head says France, heart for Belgium.... cant wait already....

In these games, it often comes down to whoever scores first... that's the key more than anything. If the game is a draw going into the second half, the better midfield takes control.

Adrenaline makes up for a lot of flaws but that eventually burns off.

No doubts on who supporting here .
Nothing against Farfan and Sport ,but ,despite my nickname, anyone but not France pls.
All that, I' d be surprised if Rode Duivels get this. Been extremely lucky against Brazil . And France are seriously improved tactically after the 1st match in group.
Even against Uruguay , they were capable to suffer but conceding few chances and been extremely cynical . That' s what makes the teams as great. And ultimately, winners.

sportsczy wrote:

breva wrote:

BarrileteCosmico wrote:First time ever none of Brazil, Germany and argentina are in the semis.

Belgium Vs England would be the ultimate Brexit vs Yurop match.

Since Italy has been in the semis 8 times and Argentina 4 times, that assertion is rather limited.

This is France's 7th semifinal too... 5th starting in 1982. We're a bigger team than Argentina and part of the elite since the 80s.

1 WC to 2 WCs.

Maybe you can come back and say something different a week from today, but for now just