He was the tenant of the Red Devils bench on June 7, 2015 at the Stade de France during their last success against the Blues in a friendly match (4-3). After remaining four years in post (2012-2016) of a selection then led by Eden Hazard, Marc Wilmots, 55, recently dismissed from his position as sporting director of Schalke 04, was an attentive viewer of the confrontation between Belgium and France (1-2) this Monday evening in Brussels in the League of Nations. Joined after the match, the former international striker (70 caps, 29 goals), who played for Bordeaux in 2000-2001, gave us his expertise.
Once again Belgium lost to the Blues. How do you explain it?
MARC WILMOTS. I always hear about pet peeves. I don’t believe in this syndrome. There is first a match context to take into consideration and also the value of the opponent. The France team was deprived of Mbappé, Kanté or Rabiot at this gathering. When she brings in players of the quality of Nkunku and Camavinga in the second half, it shows the level of her tank, her potential.
Yet at the break, it’s almost a small miracle for France not to be behind?
She didn’t perform well in the first half, I found her wait-and-see. At first, she had difficulty getting the balloons out properly. This resulted in numerous recovery errors. Saliba was, in particular, in great difficulty. Other players were not at their usual level. But despite that, the Blues knew how to be patient, bide their time, gain strength and then rely on certain individuals to build this result. The difference was also made on the physical level. Around the 60th minute, the French took an advantage in midfield. Despite the expulsion of Tchouaméni, they managed to lock everything down to preserve their success.
Once again Randal Kolo Muani particularly hurt Belgium with his double. Suffering at PSG, he shines in the selection. Does that surprise you?
Since the 2022 World Cup, he has benefited from the unfailing support of the coach. When he joins the selection, he evolves in a favorable environment where he builds up confidence. Didier believes in himself, and an attacker feels that. In return, he knows how to be decisive in key moments. It’s a win-win relationship. The simple fact of being designated as the penalty taker attests to his credit with the Blues staff.
Did you like other French players in this match?
Maignan, in line with his Euro, was impeccable. I appreciated the solidity of Konaté and Koundé. Digne suffered with Doku who embodied the main threat to the French defense. But he never gave up. He is not the first to encounter problems against the Mancunian and he will not be the last. Belgium is too dependent on him. The French were able, over the course of the match, to get involved in twos or threes to intelligently reduce their influence.
Seen from Belgium, you don’t think that we are sometimes a little too harsh with the French team. She doesn’t always seduce, but often wins…
Having been a coach, I know one thing: even when you obtain results, you can face criticism. A minority of people may want change. This desire clashes with the reality on the ground. The facts speak in favor of Didier (Deschamps). His strategy works well and has proven itself time and time again. He remains in a World Cup final and a place in the last four at the Euro. He is in the process of regenerating his group deprived of elements like Giroud or Griezmann, both retired. So of course, this French team still needs to raise its level, but it has just achieved three consecutive successes in the Nations League and has managed this international sequence very well. What more do you want?
