Didier Deschamps has confirmed France will take significant precautions in order to prevent the spread of a virus which denied them the services of two key players against Morocco last night.
Both Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano missed the 2-0 victory which saw the defending champions book their place in Sunday’s showpiece occasion against Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
Juventus midfielder Rabiot and Bayern Munich centre-half Upamecano had played pivotal roles on Les Bleus’ run to the last four but were unavailable for selection against the Atlas Lions due to illness.
Upamecano was deemed fit enough to make the bench but was an unused substitute while Rabiot was told to remain at the team hotel.
Winger Kingsley Coman, meanwhile, was said to be feeling feverish and remained on the bench.
And with just four days until the final, Deschamps is wary of illness sweeping through the camp and robbing him of more of his most important players.
‘In Doha, temperatures have fallen a little bit, you have air conditioning which is on all the time,’ said Deschamps.
‘We’ve had a few cases of flu-like symptoms. We are trying to be careful so it doesn’t spread and players have made great efforts out on the pitch and obviously their immune systems suffer.
‘Dayot Upamecano felt sick immediately after the match [against England]. It happens when you make such an effort, your body is weakened and you are more prone to be infected by these viruses.
‘We are taking all necessary precautions, we are trying to make sure it doesn’t spread but viruses are of course infectious and we have to take precautions against it. We separated him from others and Adrien as well.’
Attention will now quickly turn to how France can prevent Lionel Messi from ending his international career with the one trophy that has eluded him over the course of his stellar career.
Antoine Griezmann, arguably France’s player of the tournament, insists it would be foolish to put all the focus on Messi and ignore the merits of Lionel Scaloni’s ever improving side.
‘Any team with Messi in is a totally different proposition,’”‘ said Griezmann. ‘We have seen practically all of their matches at this World Cup, we have seen Argentina play, we know how they play, they are a difficult team to play and they seem to be on top form.
‘Of course, not only Messi, they have a strong side around him so we know it is going to be a tough game and they will have a lot of support in the crowd.
‘We will get back to work tomorrow, focused on it, how we can hurt them, how we can defend against them, we will be well-prepared.’
MORE : France boss Didier Deschamps refuses to answer question about recalling Karim Benzema for World Cup final
MORE : Morocco’s Sofyan Amrabat pleaded with France star to ‘just stop’ during World Cup clash
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