Feeling the Blues! France squad ‘is struck by illness’ on eve of World Cup semi-final against surprise package Morocco… with both ‘Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano sitting out of training unwell’
France are reportedly at risk of missing two key players for their World Cup semi-final against Morocco, with centre back Dayot Upamecano and midfielder Adrien Rabiot sitting out training through illness.
Deschamps’ side are favourites to defend their crown in Qatar, becoming the first side to go back-to-back since Brazil in 1962.
But their preparations for facing Morocco – who are not making specific plans to stop Kylian Mbappe – on Wednesday have been hampered by a sickness bug, report the Sun, with Rabiot unwell and Upamecano battling against a sore throat.
Didier Deschamps has reportedly lost key players to illness this week ahead of their semi-final
It has been reported that Dayot Upamecano (left) and Adrien Rabiot (right) are both unwell
Both Rabiot and Upamecano started against England, in a 2-1 quarter-final win, and if they are not fit enough to feature it represents a blow to boss Deschamps.
Midfielder Youssef Fofana and Liverpool centre back Ibrahima Konate are seen as the most likely candidates to step up should the pair not recover from their reported illnesses in time.
Rabiot has been the bedrock of a midfield missing Paul Pogba – who FaceTimed the squad this week to show his support – having played in all five matches in Qatar so far.
The pair sat out training on Tuesday and Deschamps could well be forced to change his line-up
Upamecano was given the night off against Tunisia in the final group game, which they lost 1-0, but has been a starting centre back in the other matches.
Both players were forced to sit out of training on Tuesday and now Deschamps facing the prospect of having to make two enforced changes from the side that defeated England.
Morocco’s Football Federation is giving fans ‘13,000 free tickets’, adding to the already passionate support that has backed them in Qatar.
It is something Deschamps is aware of and his players have been braced for the ‘wall of noise’, as he puts it.
Morocco have enjoyed a strong following throughout the World Cup in Qatar to this point
‘It is very noisy and my staff have told the players about that. It is not going to score you goals, but it is great to have such loud support,’ he said on Tuesday.
Asked specifically about the challenges presented by Morocco, he added: ‘We need to adapt to the opponents and adapt to the players we are facing.
‘The objective of our technical team is to get the best out of each and every player – as individuals but also collectively as a team.’
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