Semi-Final: Belgium 2-1 France

Belgium Observations

 

In Possession

• 4-2-3-1 shape, occasionally switching into a 4-1-5 with LCM pulling into LB slot and LB advancing & LW infield

• FBs provide attacking support in final 3rd, looking to combine with winger and offer overlaps / underlaps

• CMs typically stay behind the ball, offering recycle support and rest defence cover

• Main attacking tactic was finding the wingers (#10 and #7) to feet, where they would dribble (typically infield) to look for combinations, penetrative passes, inswinging crosses, switches of play, and shooting opportunities

• Majority of possession was in own third / half, with the double pivot (#6 and #8) focussed on retaining possession with short link passes with the backline

• Minimal attacking output, creating only three attempts on goal

• Goals:

  • 1-0 (24th min): Came from combination play on LW involving #2 and #8 before pass in behind for #17 who cutback for #7 who scored after lots of touches and turns inside the box

  • 2-0 (52nd min): Came from a long ball forward from GK. France CB (#4) misjudged headed clearance with the ball flicking off his head and landing in behind for #9 (who made a run beyond) to receive and lob the GK who was caught in no-man's land

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Out of Possession

• 4-2-3-1 high / 4-4-1-1 mid-low

• Content sitting off France, in mid-low block​​

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Players

• #1 (GK) - Mattis Seghers

  • Left-footed

  • Distribution typically involved clipped long balls into wingers

  • Not troubled too much by France, a lot of shots directed straight at him but made saves nonetheless

  • Busy in final 10 mins when France piled on the attacking pressure, making multiple saves (mainly straight at him) and claiming / punching clear crosses into the six-yard box

  • 91st min: Full-stretch, fingertip save

  #19 (RB) - Tinus Moorthamer

  • No significant notes

  • Provided attacking support on RW

  • Typically got the better of the France LW in defensive duels

  • 2nd min: Long-distanced ball carry on RW from defensive 3rd to final 3rd

• #3 (RCB) - Elie Mbavu (C)

  • No significant notes

  • Confident on ball - occasionally performing Cruyff turns to evade pressing forwards

  • Willing to play long, aerial diagonal passes to LW

  • Won a few defensive duels

• #4 (LCB) - Preben Blondeel

  • 12th min: Showed composure to retain possession under high pressure. Displayed good pass selection and detail, and positioning in sequence

  • 13th: firm, accurate pass through the lines into #10 in left-half space pocket

  • 13:20: displayed good defensive decision-making and positioning to cover the near post at a France RW attack before clearing

  • 37:07: Won defensive duel versus France CF. Showcased strength, composure and use of body

  • 38 min: mistake / slip on ball in own defensive 3rd led to France shot on goal

• #2 (LB) - Sami El Morabet

  • Consistently provided support on LW in build-up and final 3rd

  • Understanding and relationship with LW e.g. when to support below, inside, outside, beyond

  • Comfortable receiving and combining to retain and progress

  • 12th min: Showed composure to retain possession under high pressure. Holding onto the ball with a carry, before playing passes, and providing further support angles

  • 24:37: Involvement in 1st goal. Combination play with #8 on LW, executing a clever and deceptive backheel leading to #8 receiving in space

  • 33:40: Won 1v1 defensive duel on byline

  • 1st Half: One of Belgium's most effective players, both in possession (combos and passes under pressure) and out of possession (winning duels)

  • Moved to RB after 66th min sub

• #6 (RCM) - Louie Van Gelder

  • Constantly provided support angles to backline to retain possession in own 3rd

  • Played as a single pivot when #8 pulled out into LB slot

  • 0-20 mins: Prioritised ball retention. Circulating possession laterally and backwards.

  • 20-30 mins: x2 instances of disguised turns in CM to outsmart and bypass pressure. Going against the opponent's momentum.

  • 0-30 mins: Made a number of interceptions and picked up 2nd and loose balls

  • 30-45 mins: Influence and confidence grew. Began becoming more progressive whilst still retain possession. Always smart and intentional decisions and actions.

  • 58 min: Defensive anticipation to cover penalty spot from cutback. Clear the ball, denying a potential clear goalscoring opportunity for France

• #8 (LCM) - Xander Dierckx

  • Constantly provided support angles to backline to retain possession in own 3rd

  • Pulled into LB slot in settled possession, allows the LB to advance and LW to come infield

  • 0-20 mins: Prioritised ball retention. Circulating possession laterally and backwards.

  • 24:37: Involvement in 1st goal. Combination with #2 on LW before playing a well-weighted through ball in behind for #17

• #7 (RW) - Jayden Onia Seke

  • No significant notes

  • 24:37: Scored 1st goal. Showed composure and quick feet inside box to manipulate ball onto his favoured foot to create shooting opportunity. Made multiple turns, took numerous touches

• #17 (AM) - Jelle Driessen

  • No significant notes

  • Worked hard for team but struggled for involvement

  • Operated as the most advanced CM, playing between the lines, roaming to offer line-breaking passing options

  • Occasionally dropped deep to provide effective support in build-up. Often playing first-time bounce passes

  • 24:37: Involvement in 1st goal. Made a well-timed run in behind (in the left half-space) before cutback assist

• #10 (LW) - Joshua Nga Kana

  • Key attacking player - teammates constantly looked to find him in possession

  • Mixed success in terms of end product (crosses, through balls, shots)

  • Happy to receive both to feet and in behind on LW

  • Displayed quick feet and close control when dribbling

  • Beat opponents with body feints and ball manipulation

  • Likes to drift and carry infield. Looking to switch play or play short combinations and disguised penetrative passes

  • Confident on the ball and in own ability. Takes responsibility to create in final 3rd

  • Able to ride defensive pressure when dribbling. Robust despite smaller size

  • Good understanding and relationship with LB

  • Example of this in 16th min when the pair combined, with #10 flicking a pass out wide before making an in-to-out run in behind on LW to enter the final 3rd and create a crossing opportunity 

  • Moved to RW after 70th min subs

• #9 (CF) - Ilyas Benktib

  • No significant notes

  • Minimal involvement in 1st Half

  • Scored 2nd goal. Gambled with a run in behind when GK went long. Good finish selection and execution to lob the GK with left-foot

  • Multiple instances in 2nd Half of effective hold-up when no / little support. Protecting the ball when under pressure to gain his team territory and to allay defensive pressure

  • Despite lack of overall involvement and often isolation, stayed alert and switched on

• Substitutions:

  • #5: On for #19 at 66 mins. Played LB. Won multiple 1v1 defensive duels. Lost a couple in final 5 mins.

  • #15: On for #17 at 72 mins. Played AM. Wasted one promising counterattack opportunity.

  • #13: On for #7 at 72 mins. Played LW. A few ball lossess and rushed clearances. Likely game state factor, as Belgium protecting lead in semi-final

  • #14: On for #10 at 90 mins. No notes