The first chocolate of the Advent calendar may taste bitter for some selections. Germany, Belgium and, to a lesser extent, Croatia are under pressure on the occasion of this third day of groups E and F. Opposed to Costa Rica, the Germans are dependent on the result of Roja against Japan. The Red Devils are in a bad position before challenging Croatia, first in Pool F but still under threat from their evening opponent and Morocco.
The program
4 p.m.: Canada-Morocco (beIN), Croatia-Belgium (beIN)
8 p.m.: Japan-Spain (beIN), Costa Rica-Germany (beIN, TF1)
The poster: Croatia-Belgium
The stakes are not lacking this December 1st. And if group E seems denser, the encounter between Croatia and Belgium is the most balanced of the day, on paper. Unhappy semi-finalists in 2018, the Red Devils have launched a scuttling operation since the start of the competition in mishandled communication shots. “I’m afraid that there is something broken,” said Jan Vertonghen after pricking the offensive sector of his own team, too old too.
Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois were sent to face the press to soften the atmosphere on Tuesday, but the unease had already manifested itself on the pitch: Belgium barely beat Canada (1-0) before sinking against Morocco (0 -2). At the same time, Croatia was reassured against the Canadians (4-0) after a timid start against the Atlas Lions (0-0).
The two favorites of the group are therefore playing their place in the eighth and there may not be room for everyone. With four points on the clock, like Morocco, Croatia can afford to share the points with Belgium. The latter, on the other hand, must win or draw by betting on a large Moroccan defeat against Canadians already eliminated.
This second scenario sounds more like science fiction than a probable hypothesis. Roberto Martinez will therefore be forced to solve the problems in his own camp. The three-man hinge suffers from a speed deficit and Kevin De Bruyne does not have the expected influence on the game. Opposite, the Kramaric-Perisic duo were decisive against Canada and the midfield composed of Luka Modric , Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic is always scary.
Player to watch: Leroy Sané
His entry into play brightened up the German World Cup. In the 70th minute of the match against Spain, Germany is led, the counter blocked at 0 point after his surprise defeat against Japan. Hansi Flick then decides to launch Niclas Füllkrug, author of the equalizer against La Roja, and Leroy Sané, injured in the right knee and absent against the Japanese.
The Bayern winger immediately brought danger to the edge of the opposing area, in line with his start to the club season, where he was decisive 16 times in 19 games in all competitions. “Leroy showed on the pitch what he can do and why we appreciate him. His dribbling with speed, one-on-one situations. He did everything,” rejoiced Marcus Sorg, assistant to Flick, in remarks relayed by AFP.
If he is a starter against Costa Rica, Sané will sign his real comeback against a South American team still in the running for qualification. A reinforcement of weight while Germany has relied heavily on Jamal Musiala to animate the German game so far. The 26-year-old Bavarian will also be expected to finish. The 2014 world champions failed to kill the game against Japan and Sané had the winning ball at his feet late in the game against La Roja but locked himself in instead of taking a chance.
For a formation that remains on the road from the group stage in 2018, the comeback of the former Citizen therefore represents a turning point. It remains to be seen whether this turn will lead Germany to a glorious course or turn the Mannschaft towards another early elimination.
The phrase: “Beat Japan, please!” »
In the mixed zone, Antonio Rüdiger urged his Real Madrid team-mate Dani Carvajal and the Spaniards to give everything in the last group match. “Beat Japan, please!” “, he slipped in his ear, according to AFP. In the event of a Japanese victory against La Roja, the Mannschaft would be almost automatically eliminated, unless they made up for their 8-goal deficit behind Spain in goal average. A priori, the men of Luis Enrique are in no mood to slow down.
Carvajal was asked about Rüdiger’s remarks. “Yes, he told me to win against Japan. But no one doubts that we will win this match, we want to finish first and win all the matches, and we will do everything for ”, assured the right side. The draw obtained against La Roja, combined with the Japanese defeat against the Costa Ricans, revived the Germans in the race for qualification. If Hansi Flick’s men are counting on Spain to do the job, they themselves have no room for error against the Ticos.
The number: 36
In 1986, Morocco had reached the round of 16 of the World Cup for the first time in its history. Thirty-six years later, the Atlas Lions have a new qualification at the end of their claws. Croatian Dolphins, Judge Ziyech and his teammates are in a strong position before facing Canada. Four points, no goals conceded and a last group game against the last of group F. In the event of accession to the next round, the Moroccans could find Germany… as in 86.