00:00We're going to talk about this a bit more with Leo McGuinn who joins me now live from Dusseldorf.
00:04Leo, what can we expect from tonight's big game?
00:10Yeah, world number two against world number three here in Dusseldorf later this evening.
00:15Gini, a clash perhaps more fitting for a final instead.
00:19It will be the round of 16.
00:20Both sides have had really disappointing tournaments so far.
00:23They know they'll need to be a lot better if they are to secure a victory.
00:28The problem for Les Bleus so far has been goals or a lack of goals.
00:32They've only scored two goals in the tournament.
00:34One, a penalty.
00:35One, an own goal.
00:37And they'll be looking to masked man, as you say, Kylian Mbappe to provide an attacking spark.
00:42He spoke at a press conference yesterday actually about how that mask has hindered him
00:46and hindered his play.
00:48He says it really reduces his visibility and keeps him the sweat,
00:51which he finds quite difficult.
00:52So Les Bleus will hope that he's kind of used to it now
00:55and will be able to provide a vintage Mbappe display tonight.
00:59In terms of injury news, France are looking pretty set.
01:03All of their players trained yesterday, all 25 of the squad.
01:06There's talk that Antoine Griezmann might come back into the starting 11.
01:10He was dropped for their last game and has had a pretty disappointing tournament.
01:14But it looks like coach Didier Deschamps is set to call him back up.
01:18Looking at Belgium, they've also had a poor time of it so far at Euro 2024.
01:23They just scraped through their group.
01:24They were stunned in their opener, losing 1-0 to Slovakia.
01:28It looked like they got their tournament back on track with a 2-0 win over Romania.
01:32Then they really faltered to a nil draw against Ukraine
01:35and only just about qualified for the round of 16.
01:38For them, the key might be striker Romelu Lukaku.
01:41He's their all-time top scorer, hasn't scored at the tournament so far.
01:45But if they are to win tonight, they'll need Lukaku to fire.
01:49Leo, what's the atmosphere like where you are?
01:51Are there a lot of French fans or Belgian fans who are already out?
01:55Yeah, you know, we're more than three hours before kickoff,
02:01but there's a real vibrant atmosphere here.
02:03It's getting busier and busier.
02:05I've got to say, it's about 90% Belgian fans so far.
02:09Kind of red as far as the eye can see, with a smattering of blue as well.
02:14But as I say, we're still more than three hours away.
02:17So we are expecting more French fans to come.
02:21It's been a really friendly atmosphere here in the sun.
02:25Actually, fans are drinking together, enjoying themselves.
02:29The Belgians know that France are very much favourites tonight,
02:32so they know they'll need to cheer on their side if they are to win.
02:36As I said, not many French here so far,
02:38but we are expecting about 11,000 in total,
02:41so they won't be completely outnumbered.
02:44All right, Leo.
02:44Thanks so much for that.
02:45That's Leo McGuinn there covering the ambiance ahead of that big match
02:50between France and Belgium tonight in Germany for Euro 2024.
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