If the group that France inherited at Euro 2024 appears favorable, Bixente Lizarazu urges caution: the Blues will have to be on their guard in the face of tough opposition.
Four years after falling into the group of death with Portugal and Germany, the Blues escaped the worst. However, the draw for Euro 2024 carried out this Saturday was not particularly lenient since the France team will have to face Austria, the Netherlands and a play-off which could be Poland if it loses. from Estonia then the winner between Wales and Finland. Nations which will have arguments to put forward against Didier Deschamps’ men.
“ It has the profile of Germany, which it has just beaten (2-0). It is not easy to maneuver, analyzed Bixente Lizarazu on the subject of Austria in the columns of The Team. We saw it in the Nations League in 2022 with a draw in Vienna (1-1) and a victory at the Stade de France (2-0). Austria has gained experience with senior players who play in major European clubs like Alaba at Real Madrid, Sabitzer at Dortmund, Laimer at Bayern or Arnautovic at Inter Milan and who contribute to this type of competition. There are some in every line. It will be a real opposition to start. »
And we will undoubtedly have to raise the level of play even further against the Netherlands. “Their FIFA ranking (6th) shows that they are still present. He was a formidable opponent at the World Cup in 2022, who shook Argentina in the quarter-finals (2-2, 3-4 on the tabs), underlined the former full-back. They were much more excited in our group in qualifying for this Euro. You never really know which team you’re going to face with them. But we know that there is always talent! The Netherlands has always had concerns about cohesion and unity. It also depends on the coach. But if Ronald Koeman finds the right formula in the final phase as Louis Van Gaal almost succeeded in doing in Qatar, we must be wary. »
