Kylian Mbappe will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness for France’s Euro 2024 showdown with the Netherlands as he prepares to play with a protective mask over his broken nose.
The 25-year-old skipper suffered the injury in his side’s 1-0 Group D victory over Austria in their opening fixture on Monday but has not yet been ruled out of Friday’s clash with the Dutch in Leipzig.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, head coach Didier Deschamps said: “Everything is going in the right direction after this major shock with the consequences.
🥷🇫🇷#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/LghAKemHKf
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) June 20, 2024
“Yesterday he went out, he did a little activity. This will also be the case this evening. Things are moving in the right direction to ensure that he is available tomorrow.”
World Cup finalists France would book their place in the last 16 with victory over Ronald Koeman’s side, who go into the game also having banked three points, in their case courtesy of a 2-1 win over Poland.
Whether Mbappe plays or not – he wore a red white and blue mask for the start of training on Thursday evening – Deschamps insists his team will take the game to the Netherlands.
He said: “We may have to defend, but that should not be our first objective, even if we must be able to do it when necessary. First you have to go forward and give them problems.
“We will aim to put the Dutch team in difficulty, knowing that they have the capacity to bring danger.
“We achieved our objective of winning the first game, but now – as is also the case for the Dutch – it is about winning this game and qualifying. As for any coach, it’s about ensuring we perform as well as possible and are as dangerous as we can be for the opposition.”
Opposite number Koeman will send his troops into battle demanding a 90-minute performance after seeing them come from behind to beat the Poles courtesy of substitute Wout Weghorst’s late strike.
https://t.co/MbZA66jnwE pic.twitter.com/oOhOwkkxVr
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 20, 2024
Koeman said: “The lesson we learned against Poland was that that we have to play at a high level for 90 minutes, not just 60.
“Also that you have to be patient and always have in the back of your mind what could happen if you lose the ball.”
The Dutch face Austria in Berlin on Tuesday, while the French head for Dortmund to meet Poland in the final round of group games.
Fernandes-NevesRuben Neves is eager for Portugal team-mate Bruno Fernandes to join him at Al-Hilal as the Manchester United star mulls an offer from the Saudi club.WHAT HAPPENED?Fernandes is considering a huge move to the Saudi Pro League, with the club prepared to pay him £200 million over three years. The Manchester United skipper is still deciding on whether to accept the £700,000 per...
AFC Bournemouth v Leicester City FC - Premier LeagueMilos Kerkez has hinted that a summer move to Liverpool is on amid talk that the Premier League champions are keen to sign the Bournemouth star.WHAT HAPPENED?The Reds have a long-standing interest in Kerkez, who has impressed at left-back for Bournemouth this season. Quizzed about a potential move, the Hungarian told Nemzeti Sport that the specul...
Paris Saint-Germain v FC Internazionale Milano - UEFA Champions League Final 2025PSG star Ousmane Dembele has been named the Champions League Player of the Season, while Lamine Yamal and one Arsenal player also made the best XI.WHAT HAPPENED?Dembele shone throughout the competition, scoring six goals during the league stage before netting against Liverpool and Arsenal in the knock-out rounds. He w...
Nottingham Forest 'close' to agreeing deal for THREE Botafogo starsNottingham Forest are reportedly close to agreeing a deal to sign Botafogo trio Igor Jesus, Cuiabano, and Jair Filho this summer.According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Forest are close to agreeing a deal with the Brazilian side for the three players.Striker Jesus, 24, left-back Cuiabano, 22, and central defender Jair, 20...
Chelsea join race for Everton star Jarrad BranthwaiteChelsea are reportedly the latest club to register an interest in Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite ahead of the summer transfer window.The 22-year-old had previously been linked with a move to Man United, but they were unable to meet Everton’s 370 million valuation.Branthwaite has emerged as one of England’s hottest defensive pros...
Saudi Pro League clubs eye Tottenham ace Son Heung-MinTottenham captain Son Heung-Min is reportedly subject to interest from several Saudi Pro League clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.The 32-year-old has previously been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, but Tottenham recently activated the one-year option in his contract, keeping him at the club until summer 2026.According to TalkSPORT, ...
PSG in 'concrete talks' to sign River Plate wonderkid Franco MastantuonoChampions League winners PSG are reportedly in 'concrete talks' to sign highly-rated River Plate wonderkid Franco Mastantuono this summer.The French club are said to be interested in adding another rising star to their young side with the 17-year-old keen on the move.Mastantuono currently has a €45 million release clause...
Roma await as Gian Piero Gasperini leaves AtalantaAtalanta have confirmed long-serving manager Gian Piero Gasperini has officially left the club with a move to Roma understood to be only a matter of time.The 67-year-old leaves Atalanta after nine years having transformed them from Serie A strugglers to consistent Champions League competitors.Atalanta released a statement thanking Gasperini for his...
Francesco Acerbi refuses Italy call-up, hints at lack of respectInter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi has rejected a call-up from the Italy national team, hinting at a lack of respect from manager Luciano Spalletti.Acerbi, 37, played the full 90 minutes for Inter Milan as they suffered the biggest defeat in Champions League final history against PSG on Saturday.Just hours after the 5-0 defeat, he ...
Luis Diaz's fiancee Gera Ponce sends goodbye message to Liverpool fansGera Ponce, fiancee of Liverpool winger Luis Diaz, has seemingly sent a goodbye message to the fans as transfer speculation continues to mount.Diaz, 28, has been heavily linked with moves to Barcelona and Saudi Arabia but recently said in an interview with the club he was “very happy” at Liverpool.The stories surroun...
- 1 Gyokeres' words about joining Arsenal
- 2 Albanian Laura Woods wows fans in Champions League final outfit
- 3 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 4 Maya Jama and Ruben Dias share loved-up selfie
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 Arsenal boss Arteta's wife Lorena Bernal shares marriage secrets
- 7 Daily Laugh - GG bro / Sancho & Antony
- 8 AC Milan put eye-watering price-tag on Leao
- 9 Liverpool star Konate drops update on future
- 10 'No agreement' between Chelsea and Sancho