French fans wary of Henry’s Belgium in World Cup semis

When he came to Kenya months before the 2018 FIFA World Cup, France and Arsenal legend Thiery Henry was disturbed answering the question what he thought of a Belgium clash against his native country in the Russia fiesta.

He said: “We will cross that bridge when we reach there…”

The bridge is finally here, but it is the French fans who are more worried of what their own son could do to their campaign when the two teams clash in the semi finals.

On Friday evening just after France sent home Uruguay with  comfortable 2-0 win, fans at the Nizhiny Novgorod told Citizen Digital.

they preferred Brazil to Belgium, before the second quarter final was played at the Kazan Arena two hours later.

“We love Henry (Thierry) but we know the damage he can do. He is very good in analysing the game and for France, he knows everything about the players and even the technical bench.

“In fact, some of the players in the team grew admiring his glorious career and would feel intimidated to see him on the touchline against them,” offered one of the fans.

Another one added: ” Deschamps (Didier) played alongside Henry for a long time in the national team. They are both French heroes that we would be proud to see in the semis, but we know Henry could get better of him because of his knowledge of our (France) team. I doubt Deschamps understands Belgium well enough to plot their fall as Henry does…” the excited fan told.

Deschamps, who retired from presenting France in 2000, was with Henry in the 1998 squad  won World Cup.

At the final whistle in Kazan, Belgium had sealed a semi final bearth against France, confirming both Henry’s and fans fears of what could offer the a dilemma of support to either parties.

Belgium, only won for the second time against Brazil  their six meetings, the last one coming in early sixties.

While analysts have credited Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez for the exploits he Red Devils in the ongoing World Cup, his assistant Henry has been credited more for managing star player’s egos in the team.

Belgium has a star-studded squad with the English Premier League’s (EPL) Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Vincent Company (Manchester City), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City) and Thibaut Courtois of Chelsea among others.