13:55 – An interest in preserving Mbappé?
While the question of the presence of Kylian Mbappé on the pitch against the Netherlands this evening is not yet decided, whether as a starter or on the bench, coach Didier Deschamps could be tempted to preserve his attacker Lighthouse. Indeed, last Monday’s victory against Austria has already ensured a good cushion for the Blues to qualify for the round of 16. Especially since the first place in the group does not necessarily guarantee a more affordable round of 16 for the French team, in a competition as dense as the Euro.
1:20 p.m. – PICTURE. Kylian Mbappé’s tricolor mask
Kylian Mbappé appeared yesterday at the French team’s training on Thursday evening and wore a protective mask for the first time. The official account of the French team published this first image Thursday evening. On Wednesday, the captain of the Blues had made a few runs and strikes but was simply protected by a bandage on his injured nose during the opening match against Austria (1-0).
12:45 – A marketing mask?
As of Monday evening, we saw Kylian Mbappé asked on social networks what mask he could wear for his return with the Blues on the pitch. We saw him yesterday wearing a tricolor protection, with several references on it. However, this is not the mask he will wear if he is on the pitch this evening against the Netherlands, because UEFA regulations require united protection. So what’s the point of wearing this mask yesterday in training, apart from a marketing stunt?
12:10 – “The whole team should adapt” Griezmann explains the Blues’ plans in the event of Mbappé’s absence
At a press conference yesterday, vice-captain Antoine Griezmann replaced Kylian Mbappé, and was of course questioned about the state of health of his teammate and his potential absence this evening against the Netherlands, but also about the ability to the team to play without its star. “The whole team should adapt. But I don’t know if he’s going to play. He’s one of the best players in the world, having him or not makes a huge difference. You always have to adapt in the football. No matter tomorrow, we will have to adapt for everyone, that must be our strength too.”
11:35 – Deschamps was reassuring at a press conference
Yesterday at the end of the day during the traditional pre-match press conference, coach Didier Deschamps was questioned about the state of health of his captain Kylian Mbappé. He was rather very reassuring and optimistic about the possibility of seeing his scorer on the pitch this evening. “Everything is going in the right direction after this major shock. He was able to train yesterday, that will be the case this evening. We are making sure that he can be available tomorrow”
11:00 – Mbappé’s mask banned by UEFA
Kylian Mbappé appeared yesterday at the end of the day in training with a blue-white-red mask, decorated with the rooster of the France team, the two stars and initials of the player. However, this model will certainly not be the one that the Blues striker could wear if he enters the field this evening against the Netherlands. The UEKA regulations are in fact clear on the subject: the medical equipment worn by the players must be of a solid color, and not contain any markings or decoration. No worries, however, according to the newspaper The Team Mbappé has several masks available.
10:25 – Kylian Mbappé trained separately
If we saw Kylian Mbappé in training again yesterday evening, he apparently did not participate in the traditional opposition on the eve of the match. He could therefore start on the bench against the Netherlands, even if the new data at the press conference are rather reassuring.