Oct 13 (Reuters) – France coach Didier Deschamps said on Sunday that his team is preparing for a particularly intense game when they face Belgium in their Nations League Group A2 match on Monday.

The Belgians are seeking their first competitive victory over their neighbors in 43 years, having last beaten France in a World Cup qualifier in 1981.

Since then, Belgium have recorded two wins against the French in friendlies, the last in 2015 with a 4-3 away win.

At halftime the Belgians are three points behind group leaders Italy and two points behind second-placed France. To secure a place in the quarter-finals, a place in the top two is essential.

A home defeat to France coupled with an expected Italian win over Israel could all but end their hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds with two rounds still to be played.

“We will have a motivated Belgian team, as they always are, but even more so on Monday. There is definitely a rivalry,” Deschamps told reporters on Sunday.

“We often meet in competitions, but not so often in friendlies. We often meet in crucial games. So there is a rivalry because we are neighbors, but no animosity and no bad blood because the players know each other.”

“I am not convinced that our past victories give us a psychological advantage. That’s history… and the players aren’t the same either.”

Les Bleus beat Israel 4-1 in Budapest, while Belgium reached a 2-2 draw in Italy on Thursday after falling two goals behind in 24 minutes.

Belgium will be without midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and striker Romelu Lukaku for the France game after they asked not to be included in this international window.

Missing from France is Kylian Mbappe, who has been criticized at home for not taking part in the games against Israel and Belgium despite being fit for Real Madrid.

Mbappe’s Real teammate Aurelien Tchouameni retains the French captaincy after taking over the armband in his absence. (Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)