Kylian Mbappe is set to be left out of France’s starting XI for their Euro 2024 showdown with Netherlands on Friday night.
The France captain suffered a broken nose late on in Les Blues group opener against Austria on Monday night following a collision with defender Kevin Danso.
While he will not require surgery, the Real Madrid star will have to wear a protective mask, likely for the rest of the competition, and was able to participate in light training on Wednesday and Thursday.
France boss Didier Deschamps provided more good news at his pre-match press conference, hopeful of his chances of being available on Friday night.
‘Everything is going in the right direction after the major shock he had with the consequences of course,’ Deschamps told a press conference on Thursday, also confirming his captain will wear a protective mask.
‘Yesterday, he was able to go out and do a little activity. This will also be the case this evening. It’s moving in the right direction for make sure he can be available tomorrow.’
Ahead of kick-off however, L’Equipe report Mbappe will not start against the Dutch tonight.
Marcus Thuram is set to be handed the task of leading the French attack with Adrien Rabiot to be moved into a more advanced role on the left of attack.
That will leave room for Aurelien Tchouameni to return to the side after his recent injury with the Real Madrid star to start in midfield.
William Saliba meanwhile will continue at the heart of defence. The Arsenal star has struggled to force his way into the France starting XI despite his excellent form over the last two seasons for the Gunners.
Saliba helped his side keep a clean sheet against Austria but was absent from team training this week after complaining of a pain in his right ankle.
Despite that minor injury scare, he will retain his place in the side tonight alongside Dayot Upamecano.
Mbappe not allowed to wear ‘France’ mask
Should he come off the bench against Netherlands, Mbappe will be wearing a specially designed mask to protect his broken nose.
The former Paris Saint-Germain star trained on Thursday in a blue, white and red mask displaying the French tricolore but Mbappe may not be permitted to wear it during matches.
Uefa rules state ‘medical equipment worn on the playing field must be of a single colour’ and ‘must not allow the team or manufacturer to be identified.’
France officials were planning to check those guidelines with their Uefa counterparts ahead of tonight’s match.
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