World Cup: Germany counts on La Roja deciding Croatia-Belgium … What awaits you this Thursday, December 1st

The first chocolate of the Advent calendar may be bitter for some variations. Germany, Belgium and, to a lesser extent, Croatia are under pressure for this third day of Groups E and F. Unlike Costa Rica, the Germans are dependent on Roi’s result against Japan. The Red Devils are in a bad position ahead of taking on Croatia, top of Group F, but are still under threat from their opponents of the evening and Morocco.

Program

16:00: Canada-Morocco (beIN), Croatia-Belgium (beIN)

20:00: Japan-Spain (beIN), Costa Rica-Germany (beIN, TF1)

Poster: Croatia-Belgium

Rates are not enough for December 1st. And if Group E seems to be tighter, then on paper the meeting between Croatia and Belgium is the most balanced of the day. The unfortunate 2018 semi-finalists the Red Devils launched a flooding operation from the start of the competition with poorly controlled communications. “I’m afraid something is broken,” Jan Vertonghen said after he stung his team’s attacking sector, “too old too.”

Eden Hazard and Thibault Courtois were sent to the press to soften the air on Tuesday, but the uneasiness was already showing on the pitch as Belgium narrowly beat Canada 1-0 before losing 2-0 to Morocco. At the same time, Croatia calmed down against the Canadians (4:0) after a timid start against the Atlas Lions (0:0).

Thus, the two favorites of the group take their place in eighth place, and there may not be enough space for everyone. With four points on the clock, like Morocco, Croatia can afford to share points with Belgium. The latter, on the other hand, must win or draw, betting on a massive Moroccan defeat against the already eliminated Canadians.

This second scenario is more like science fiction than a possible hypothesis. Therefore, Roberto Martinez will be forced to solve problems in his camp. The three-man pivot suffers from a speed deficit and Kevin De Bruyne is not having the expected impact on the game. By contrast, the Kramarić-Perišić duo was decisive against Canada, while the midfield of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic is always scary.

Player to watch: Leroy Sane

His entry into the game brightened up the World Cup in Germany. In the 70th minute of the match against Spain, Germany falls behind, the clock locked at 0 after a surprise loss to Japan. Hansi Flick then decides to launch Niklas Fülkrug, the scorer who equalized against La Roja, and Leroy Sane, injured in his right knee and absent from the match against the Japanese.

The Bayern winger immediately brought danger to the opposition’s edge, in line with his start to the club season, where he played a decisive role 16 times in 19 games in all competitions. “Leroy showed on the field what he can do and what we appreciate him for. His dribbling with speed, going one on one. He did everything,” said Markus Sorg, Flick’s assistant, in comments shared with AFP.

If he starts against Costa Rica, Sane will sign his true comeback against a South American team that is still in contention for qualification. Gaining weight while Germany has so far relied heavily on Jamal Musiala to spice up the German game. The 26-year-old Bavarian is also expected to finish. The 2014 world champions failed to win the game against Japan and Sané held the winning ball late in the game with La Roja but locked himself in rather than risk it.

So for a formation that remains on the road after the 2018 group stage, the return of the former Citizen represents a turning point. It remains to be seen whether this turnaround will put Germany on a glorious course or turn Mannshaft into yet another early elimination.

Phrase: “Defeat Japan, please!” »

In the mixed doubles, Antonio Rudiger called on his Real Madrid team-mate Dani Carvajal and the Spaniards to give their best in the last group match. “Defeat Japan Please!” “, he slipped in the ear, according to AFP. In the event of Japan’s victory over La Roja, Mannshaft are almost automatically eliminated, unless they make up for an 8-goal goal-average gap from Spain. A priori, Luis Enrique’s men are not in the mood to slow down .

Carvajal was asked about Rüdiger’s remarks. “Yes, he told me to defeat 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,” the right assured. The draw at La Roja, combined with the Japanese loss to the Costa Ricans, revived the Germans in the race for qualification. If Hansi Flick’s men are counting on Spain, they themselves have no room for error against Tico.

Number: 36

In 1986, Morocco reached the round of 16 of the World Cup for the first time in its history. Thirty-six years later, the Atlas Lions gained a new qualification at the tip of their claws. The Croatian Dolphins, Hakim Ziyech and his teammates are in a strong position ahead of the match against Canada. Four points, no goals conceded and the last group game against the last of Group F. If they advanced to the next round, the Moroccans could find Germany … as in 86.