Belgium will hope to continue their upward turn and claim a revenge victory over France when they host neighbours in the UEFA Nations League.
Domenico Tedesco’s side were well beaten 2-0 when they faced Les Bleus last month and they looked to be on the way to another damaging reverse when they went two goals behind against Italy last time out.
However, goals from Maxim De Cuyper and Leandro Trossard brought the Red Devils level and the Azzurri were left hanging on after Alessandro Bastoni’s red card.
France represent another step up, even if Didier Deschamps is lacking a few of his key performers. They eased to a 4-1 win over Group A2 outsiders Israel.
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Belgium are missing a few key players due to injuries, with goalkeeper Matz Sels sidelined after picking up a knock, and Kevin De Bruyne unavailable due to a groin injury. The Manchester City playmaker has already decided he will sit out the November international break.
In the absence of De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, The Red Devils will lean on the attacking duo of Leandro Trossard and Lois Openda to pose a serious threat to the French defence.
Timothy Castagne replaced Maxim De Cuyper in the only change from the Italy game.
Belgium (4-3-3, right to left): Casteels (GK) — Debast, Faes, Theate, Castagne — De Ketelaere, Mangala, Tielemans — Doku, Openda, Trossard
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels, Thomas Kaminski, Matz Sels
Defenders: Zeno Debast, Arthur Theatre, Wout Faes, Thomas Meunier, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Timothy Castagne
Midfielders: Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans, Julien Duranville, Orel Mangala, Alexis Saelemaekers, Arthur Vermeeren
Forwards: Lois Openda, Jeremy Doku, Dodi Lukebakio, Charles De Ketelaere, Johan Bakayoko
Kylian Mbappe was left out of the squad for extra rest following injury and Antoine Griezmann has announced his international retirement.
Christopher Nkunku scored on his international return against Israel but must be content with a place on the bench. Lucas Digne got the nod ahead of Theo Hernandez at left-back, while Mateo Guendouzi and Manu Kone are into midfield in place of Eduardo Camavinga and Michael Olise.
France 4-3-3 right to left): Maignan (GK) — Koude, Saliba, Konate, Digne — Tchouameni, Kone, Guendouzi — Dembele, Kolo Muani, Barcola
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola, Mike Maignan, Brice Samba
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss, Lucas Digne, Wesley Fofana, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Loic Bade
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga, Youssouf Fofana, Matteo Guendouzi, Manu Kone, Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire-Emery
Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani, Christopher Nkunku, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram
This UEFA Nations League clash between France and Belgium will take place at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, on October 14 at 8:45 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across some of the major global territories:
Date | Kickoff time | |
USA | Mon, Oct. 14 | 2:45 p.m. ET |
Canada | Mon, Oct. 14 | 2:45 p.m. ET |
Australia | Tues, Oct. 15 | 5:45 a.m. AEDT |
UK | Mon, Oct. 14 | 7:45 p.m. BST |
India | Tues, Oct. 15 | 12:15 a.m. IST |
Here’s how to watch this UEFA Nations League match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
Region | TV | Streaming |
USA | Fox Sports 2 | Fubo, ViX, Foxsports.com |
Canada | — | DAZN |
UK | — | ViaPlay (YouTube) |
Australia | — | Optus Sport |
India | — | Sony LIV, JioTV |
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