Didier Deschamps has urged France to do better in front of goal, with "no second chances" left in Euro 2024 as they prepare for the knockout stages.
France were one of the pre-tournament favourites, but they have struggled to make any real impact so far, after finishing as surprise runners-up behind Austria in Group D.
After edging to a win over Ralf Rangnick's side thanks to an own goal in their opener, Les Bleus were held to draws by the Netherlands and Poland.
While acknowledging their underwhelming results in the group stage, Deschamps was confident there would be a big improvement against Belgium in the round of 16.
"I'm doing my best to put a team forward that's in the best position possible to give the opposition a run for their money and to be strong at the back," Deschamps said.
"We're in a new phase of the competition – a competition within a competition. There are no second chances now.
"The teams that have qualified are better than the ones that went home. It's all about having that cutting edge in front of goal.
"If you want to win, you have to score – and that's not been what we've been doing. That happens to the best of us and the best goalscorers."
France exited Euro 2020 at this stage, being beaten by Switzerland on penalties after giving up a two-goal lead in the second half.
Deschamps is keen to avoid repeating history, but assured fans they were a key part of preparation for the tie.
"We have to prepare for penalty shoot-outs," Deschamps added. "We have info about our opponents, and we also know who our own players are.
"But if you look at the last penalty shoot-out we did, there were seven changes between the players who were meant to take them and those who could. It's not always the same people. But it's my objective to make sure it doesn't go to penalties."
Switzerland not distracted by England squad talk, says Zuber
Switzerland midfielder Steven Zuber has said his team-mates are not distracted by the talk surrounding England's squad ahead of their quarter-final clash on Saturday.
England have been heavily criticised for their performances at Euro 2024 so far, with pressure from the outside reaching the Three Lions camp at Euro 2024.
Zuber has acknowledged the quality within England's ranks, but has promised Murat Yakin's side will do their talking on the pitch in Dusseldorf.
"The England squad, we do not need to speak about their quality or something else," Zuber said.
"I am not close to the team or what is going on. To be honest, it is also not my business or our business, we are just looking for ourselves.
"We know our strengths, we know our quality and we are looking forward to the game, to show our quality on the pitch, not beside the pitch because we are not good at talking, we are good at showing our quality on the pitch."
Switzerland have been one of the standout sides at the tournament so far, knocking out reigning champions Italy in their last-16 encounter last Saturday.
The Swiss have been eliminated at this stage on all four of their previous attempts, but Zuber is confident they can progress this time around.
"I really hope that we don't set limits for ourselves, not just us as players but the entire country. I hope this mentality of thinking that certain boundaries cannot be crossed has disappeared," Zuber told broadcaster RSI.
"It is not possible to regularly beat important teams, although the so-called favourites may run into difficulties. Certain boundaries should no longer matter to us."
Julian Nagelsmann explained his preparations for Germany's quarter-final clash with Spain revolved around Jamal Musiala, not Lamine Yamal.
Yamal, who became only the third teenager to provide multiple assists at the European Championships after Enzo Scifo (1984) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2004), has been a shining light for La Roja at the tournament.
The 16-year-old has also completed 94% of his passes under pressure, the highest rate of any Spain player to play at least 180 minutes so far at Euro 2024.
However, Musiala has also shone in his second major international tournament and is currently the joint-top scorer heading into the quarter-final stage.
"My focus is less on Yamal and more on Jamal. Attacking-wise we can do a lot of things ourselves," Nagelsmann said.
"He (Yamal) is a big talent. He's been very consistent this year and there are not many who are so consistent, also for his club Barcelona.
"He is just 16, which also means our players have a chance to hold their own against him. We'll see how he reacts when things get tough."
Luis de la Fuente's new-look Spain have been one of the standout teams at the tournament so far, scoring nine goals in their four games so far and conceding just once.
La Roja have moved away from their possession brand of football, something which Nagelsmann believes will be key during the contest in Stuttgart.
"We have a defensive orientation with different variations but we have the demand to have the ball ourselves. It is more comfortable to play when you have possession," Nagelsmann said.
"Spain press high to force quick transitions, also win the ball high up the pitch. That is a quality they have acquired and it no longer is just tiki-taka."
The weight of expectation falling on Nagelsmann's shoulders is immense, with Germany hopeful of continuing the trend of host nations at the European Championships.
The tournament hosts of the Euros have never been eliminated from the quarter-final stage of the competition, but Germany face a Spain side they have failed to beat in their last four meetings.
That winless streak includes a 6-0 defeat in the Nations League in 2020, but Nagelsmann is keen to look to the future, rather than the present.
"I was not part of these games. I will never say in the changing room this is revenge for a game in the Nations League," Nagelsmann said.
"I wasn't there, and neither were some of the players. It is irrelevant for tomorrow."
Stones: England's victory over Slovakia will be 'used as fuel' against Switzerland
John Stones insists that England's comeback victory over Slovakia "will be used as fuel" ahead of their quarter-final meeting with Switzerland on Saturday.
England came to within a minute of being eliminated from Euro 2024 before Jude Bellingham's overhead kick spared Gareth Southgate's blushes.
The Three Lions confirmed their place in the last eight through Harry Kane's 65th international goal in extra-time.
Having come so close to going home, Manchester City defender Stones believes his team-mates can take confidence from the win ahead of their encounter in Dusseldorf.
"We need to keep progressing and playing the fluid football that we are used to," Stones said.
"I don't want to discredit the other night, I thought we were going home up to 60 minutes into the game.
"To change the mindset and for us all to keep the belief it has a lot of power behind it - for ourselves and other teams.
"Everyone at home knows we are there to do it until the last minute and we should take great confidence from that as it's not easy to do in a high-pressured game.
"We use that as fuel, that extra mile and make it count and we did that."
It has been suggested that England will revert to a back three to accommodate Guehi's absence.
Ezri Konsa has been tipped to be given the nod to come into the side, with Stones backing the Aston Villa defender to be ready to face Switzerland, should he be selected.
"If he's selected yeah [he is ready], I don't think any of us know the exact team or system yet. Whoever plays in whatever position or partnerships, whatever you want to call it, is fully ready.
"The standards that I've seen in training from every player has been incredible. Whoever steps in is worthy of being there and hopefully we will produce.
"In the World Cup we had a run that we felt we could win and that didn't happen, we have to use the situations and learning curve to our advantage now.
"We've got a good opportunity to get further this weekend.
"I'm a big believer we've been in these positions before and realise were we are, the magnitude of things and what we believe we can do and put it into practice."
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