The Nations League is hardly a competition that has football fans hysterical with excitement, but it does pose the habit of pitting some of Europe’s historically biggest footballing nations against one another outside of the typical setting of a major international tournament. On Monday evening, the back end of Belgium's 'Golden generation' take on 2018 World Cup winners France in the Group A2 in the qualification competition.
Both sides have one win from their opening two games and trail group leaders Italy by three points. This tie also brings with it a historic rivalry of neighbouring nations that goes back decades. In total, Belgium and France have locked horns on as many as 77 occasions since 1904, which has seen the Belgians pick up 30 wins, the French win 28 and 19 draws between them. But which of the two European heavyweights have produced the most valuable players over the past few decades?
Since Transfermarkt began recording market values back in 2004, there have been as many as 10 players from Belgium and France that have broken the €100 million barrier: seven from France and three from Belgium. Eden Hazard (€150m in 2018), Kevin De Bruyne (€150m in 2018), and Romelu Lukaku (€100m in 2018) are the representatives from their nation. For France, Kylian Mbappé hit €200m in 2018, with Antoine Griezmann hitting a record market value of €150m and Ousmane Dembélé reaching €120m. Four French midfielders have reached €100m - Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni currently, and Paul Pogba and N'golo Kante in 2019 and 2018 respectively.
When we collate the most valuable XI from the record market values from both Belgian and French stars, it makes quite the team. Incredibly the XI would boast a market value of €1.21b. In the sticks is Belgian shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois who reached a market value of €75m back in 2020. The entire back four is French, with Lucas Hernández (€70m) at left-back, Raphaël Varane (€80m) and William Saliba (€80m) at centre-back, and Jules Koundé (€60m) at right-back.
Two of the midfield three are current Real Madrid Frenchmen in Tchouaméni (€100m) and Camavinga (€100m). Both players currently still hold that market value. With that pair is Belgian legend De Bruyne who reached his highest market value of €150m back in 2018. The front three is some prospect. On the left Hazard (€150m), through the middle Mbappé (€200m), and on the right Griezmann (€150m).
Belgium go into the game without Amadou Onana, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne.
France will continue to be without Kylian Mbappe after he withdrew from the squad through injury, and Antoine Griezmann after he announced his decision to retire from international football last month.
Domenico Tedesco has revealed that he will switch up his tactics against France and will no longer play Manchester City’s Jérémy Doku in a wing-back role. He will instead feature in a more conventional position on the left-wing, in support of striker Lois Openda. Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard, rather than Charles De Ketelaere, will play as the No.10 for Belgium, whilst Dodi Lukebakio, who started on the bench against Italy, will start on the right-hand-side.
Koen Casteels; Maxim De Cuyper, Arthur Theate, Wout Faes, Timothy Castagne; Youri Tielemans, Aster Vranckx; Jérémy Doku, Leandro Trossard, Dodi Lukebakio; Lois Openda. (L’Éq)
Belgium have not overcome Les Bleus in competitive action in 43 years, last managing to do so in 1981 in a World Cup qualifier.
Domenico Tedesco's side will be desperate to atone for that poor record in Brussels, knowing a defeat could end their top-two hopes.
France are two points clear of third-placed Belgium, who are three behind group leaders Italy, and Deschamps anticipates an enthralling clash with their quarter-final qualification chances on the line.
“We will have a motivated Belgian team, like they always are, but even more so on Monday. There’s definitely a rivalry,” Deschamps told reporters on Sunday.
“We face each other often in competitions, but not so much in friendlies. We often meet in decisive matches. So there’s a rivalry since we are neighbours, but not animosity and no bad blood because the players know each other.”
As for France's impressive record against Belgium, Deschamps does not expect that to play any influence on Monday.
“I'm not convinced our past wins give us a psychological edge. It is history ... and the players aren't the same either,” the France boss added.
Les Bleus thrashed Israel 4-1 in Budapest, while Belgium earned a 2-2 draw in Italy on Thursday, having been two goals behind inside 24 minutes.
France will again be missing talisman Kylian Mbappe, who is facing criticism at home for not taking part in the games against Israel and Belgium while being fit to play for Real Madrid.
Mbappe's Real Madrid team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni will continue as France captain after taking the armband in his absence.
France have recovered from an opening day defeat by winning their last two, while Belgium have slipped from first to third since their win over Israel on matchday one.
A real Jekyll-and-Hyde performance from Belgium saw them take a point from the Stadio Olimpico against Italy on Thursday night, and they will have been massively disappointed not to come away with a win.
Domenico Tedesco's men were utterly dominated in the opening 30 minutes, going 2-0 down and at threat of conceding more, but Lorenzo Pellegrini's rash challenge saw him dismissed, and changed the entire shape of the game.
Belgium pulled one back instantly thanks to Maxim De Cuyper, Leandro Trossard then equalised on the hour mark, and the Red Devils claimed they should have a penalty and a red card to Alessandro Bastoni, after he chopped Lois Openda down in the area just moments later.
Italy kept 10 on the field though, and would keep Belgium at bay for the remaining half-hour, but the draw does leave Tedesco's men in a decent position after three games, even if it could have been better.
Everyone has beaten Israel so far, and Belgium still have the two heavyweights to play at home, so they will feel as though they have the ascendancy, despite currently sitting outside of the top two.
These two neighbours are becoming very accustomed to meeting each other, as they faced off in France last month, and in Germany over the summer.
France won 2-0 in the reverse just over four weeks ago, and Les Bleus were successful too at the Euros, in a very forgettable 1-0 last-16 success.
Didier Deschamps has always had one over Belgium when it comes to competitive meetings, as his France side also beat Belgium 3-2 in the Nations League semi-finals in 2021 despite going 2-0 down, and they also got the better of the Red Devils in the 2018 World Cup semis.
If that was not enough to make the French feel confident heading into this short away trip, the fact they won 4-1 away to Israel in a completely dominant performance on Thursday should.
In neutral Hungary, France were in complete control for 90 minutes, as Israel's equaliser came with their only shot of the game, and after re-taking the lead four minutes later, the two late goals put some much-deserved gloss on the scoreline.
Deschamps needed a response from his team after the 3-1 home defeat to Italy on matchday one, and that is what he has got, with two wins from two, and another here should almost guarantee a top-two berth considering they still have to face the group's whipping boys Israel at home.
Romelu Lukaku was not called up yet again despite showing promising form at Napoli, with the striker claiming he had to stay at Naples to continue to build his fitness after missing much of preseason.
The ongoing rift between manager Tedesco and Thibaut Courtois means the Real Madrid keeper would have not been called up, but he is out with an injury at present anyway, while Matz Sels has also pulled out late with a knock.
Kevin De Bruyne is the other notable absentee, meaning Youri Tielemans is the only member of the 2018 World Cup squad still in the side at the moment.
It appeared as though Tedesco was experimenting with a three-at-the-back system in the first half against Italy before the red card, and even though they struggled, the lack of midfield options available could see him start with that again.
France are without Kylian Mbappe after he was perhaps rushed back too soon by his club following a recent setback, and he has therefore pulled out of this squad.
After being dropped following their 3-1 defeat to Italy, Antoine Griezmann then announced his international retirement late last month, stating he does not want to be part of the setup if he is not a regular starter, despite being one of Deschamps's favourites.
N'Golo Kante was not called up after missing his club side's most recent fixture in Saudi Arabia, while Adrien Rabiot's lack of game time at Marseille has also cost him his place.
After scoring off the bench on Thursday, both Bradley Barcola and Matteo Guendouzi could come into the side, especially if Deschamps decides to revert to three in midfield, after picking a very attacking lineup against Israel.Belgium possible starting lineup:Casteels; Castagne, Debast, Faes, Theate, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Mangala; Trossard, Openda, Doku
France possible starting lineup:Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, T Hernandez; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Guendouzi; Olise, Kolo Muani, Barcola
In more testing environments, France have not been great recently, with just six wins in 90 minutes across their last 14 matches, but they should just have enough to beat a weakened Belgium side here.
When playing 11 versus 11 against Italy, Belgium could not compete, and the 2-0 defeat in Lyon last month suggests they could struggle again here, despite home advantage.For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
