France against the Netherlands, Ukraine to recover, just like Austria and Poland… Friday’s program

The Blues meet the Netherlands on Friday evening. They can ensure their qualification for the round of 16 in the event of victory.

A duel for first place. After their success in the first match, the winner of the opposition between France and the Netherlands can almost secure its place as leader of Pool D, Friday June 21 (at 9 p.m.).

In the same group, Austria and Poland face each other a little earlier today to stay alive in this Euro. Then Ukraine, surprised by Romania on the first day, will have to raise its head against Slovakia, to give itself a chance of reaching the round of 16.

The poster not to be missed: France-Netherlands (9 p.m.)

The Netherlands are doing quite well against the French. In their last nine confrontations, Didier Deschamps’ men have won seven, including the two qualifying matches for this Euro (4-0 at the Stade de France and 2-1 in Amsterdam).

Difficult winners of their first match, the Netherlands overthrew the Poles (2-1), while the Blues needed an own goal to defeat the Austrians (1-0). Facing Memphis Depay’s teammates, the French will be deprived of their captain Kylian Mbappé, injured in the nose after contact with the Austrian Kevin Danso. An absence of weight in a match where the winner will ensure their qualification for the round of 16 and also take a big step towards first place in the group.

The team to watch: Austria under pressure (6 p.m.)

It’s the match of the defeated. Dominated by the Netherlands and France, the Poles and Austrians no longer have the right to bow, under penalty of being virtually eliminated. With their pressing, and boys like Marcel Sabitzer, Konrad Laimer, Christoph Baumgartner, who play in the best European clubs, Austria has the means to win and offer itself a “final” against the Netherlands, during from the last match.

Exited in the first round at Euro 2021, Poland, in the event of defeat, would find itself on the verge of elimination, even before its last meeting against the Blues. Michal Probierz’s men should recover their captain Robert Lewandowski, back from injury, an essential contribution to regaining the offensive efficiency which they lacked against the Dutch.

The match away from the spotlight: Slovakia-Ukraine (3 p.m.)

Will Slovakia do it again? After his surprise victory against Belgium (1-0), during the first day, Milan Skriniar’s teammates can achieve the same feat as in 2016, namely reaching the round of 16 of the Euro, if successful against the Ukrainians.

Showered by Romania, Andreï Shevchenko’s men lost heavily (3-0) and can no longer afford to be defeated. Quarter-finalist in 2021, Ukraine, which has a golden generation with Mykhaïlo Mudryk, Andriy Lunin or Oleksandr Zinchenko, would like to return to the final stages to give a little joy to its people at war.