On Friday, the Netherlands will face France at Leipzig Stadium, with the match being broadcast live on RTÉ 2 and BBC One. Kick-off is slated for 8.0, Irish local time. In unforeseen circumstances, Didier Deschamps, the French team’s coach, hinted that key player Kylian Mbappé might make an appearance in the match. This comes following Mbappé’s nasal injury in a game against Austria, which did not require surgical intervention.
Although there is speculation regarding Mbappé’s participation for the remaining group matches, Deschamps remains optimistic, stating that “everything is progressing favourably”. It has been announced that a bespoke face protector will be provided to Mbappé to facilitate his return, but it remains inconclusive whether the French skipper will be risked. Despite being restricted to non-impact drills on Wednesday, Mbappé trained the following day prior to the Netherlands clash. The Real Madrid ace was seen sporting a customised mask in French tricolour, marked with his initials.
During a pre-game press conference, Deschamps expressed that Mbappé’s recovery is heading in the right direction post the significant impact. Clarifying about the mask, he prompted, “Undeniably, Kylian will be donning a mask though I believe the specifics are unnecessary for this conversation… I’m certain your sources will uncover the mask’s origin.”
The French squad’s narrative has been entangled with the imminent political vote triggered by President Emmanuel Macron’s snap election. Numerous players, including Mbappé, have been urged to express their views. However, Deschamps is determined that it has not caused any disruption. He stated, “During the inaugural press conference prior to the Austria game, the majority of the enquiries deviated from football… Perhaps, some are exploiting this, or use Kylian to ignite discussions. It hasn’t resulted in any disarray within the team. Everything is proceeding as smoothly as possible. Kylian remains part of the squad. We maintain composed within the team.”
Antoine Griezmann, who might take on the role of France’s captain if Mbappé isn’t present, expressed the importance of viewing each player as individual rather than comparing them to other eminent figures in football. Griezmann opined, “Kylian is crafting his own path. Cristiano Ronaldo’s accomplishments are unique, but one must regard Ronaldo and Kylian as two distinct individuals. The same applies to Lionel Messi too.” Griezmann emphasized that every player has their unique style and impression on the sport.
In regard to Mbappé’s state of health, Griezmann reported that there were signs of improvement. Commenting on Mbappé’s condition, Griezmann stated, “Kylian is recovering well, his nasal swelling has reduced significantly. His condition during the final moments will be a deciding factor. Nevertheless, we are prepared and eager to move forward in the competition. Our ambition is to secure the trophy.”
Griezmann further commented, “It inevitably influences the game whether we have one of the world’s premier players playing or not. We’ll assess the situation, but regardless, we’ll need to adapt to each game and its unique circumstances. No matter what tactical decisions are made, adaptation is key. It strengthens us as a team. We are aware of the physicality of the game. We need to ensure that we bring our A-game.”
On the other side, there’s a possibility for the Netherlands to see Brian Brobbey, the Ajax forward, return to the field after missing the initial victory against Poland. Ronald Koeman, the coach, needs to consider whether he will include Burnley’s Wout Weghorst in the starting team, after scoring a decisive goal in Hamburg. Weghorst could potentially take Memphis Depay of Barcelona’s place.
Historically, France has come out on top in seven out of the last eight encounters with the Netherlands. “Perhaps, I’ve just been fortunate,” admitted Deschamps with a grin. “Our initial goal is to pose challenges to them on the field and subsequently limit their offensive approach. Our target is to dominate ball possession and restrict them as much as we can. That’s the plan,” he asserted. (Info from – The Guardian).