The highly anticipated Euro 2024 round of 16 match between France and Belgium at the Dusseldorf Arena on Monday saw a surprising omission from the Belgian lineup: Leandro Trossard. The Arsenal winger, who enjoyed a stellar season with the Gunners, scoring 17 goals across all competitions, has failed to replicate that form for his national team.
Trossard’s lackluster performance in the Euros, with no goal contributions in the three group stage matches, led to his benching. In 170 minutes on the pitch, he managed only three attempts, with just one hitting the target. His passing accuracy was a disappointing 73.5%, placing him 16th in the squad. Despite being a winger, he only managed one successful dribble, making for a disappointing Euro 2024 showing.
His spot in the starting lineup was taken by veteran Yannick Carrasco, who, despite playing primarily as a left-back in recent matches, has delivered decent performances. This decision by the Belgian manager highlights the importance of form and consistency, especially in high-pressure knockout matches.
