Kylian Mbappe sustained a broken nose in France’s Euro 2024 opener and despite hope that he would be fit to play against the Netherlands, the striker has been left out of the starting line up
Kylian Mbappe is OUT of the France side to play the Netherlands at Euro 2024.
The French striker, 25, sustained a broken nose in their opener against Austria on Monday following a bruising collision with Kevin Danso. He has been equipped with a mask but has not been ruled fit enough to play from the start on Friday evening in Leipzig.
The Real Madrid star has been left on the bench, with Marcus Thuram, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann named as Les Blues’ front three instead. The Atletico Madrid star has been handed Mbappe’s captain’s armband in his absence.
Speaking ahead of the game, France boss Didier Deschamps said: “Everything is going well, after the shock we had. Everything is evolving in the right direction. We’ll do all we can to ensure that he’ll be available.” He added: “Kylian will be wearing a mask.”
Austria defender Danso had apologised for injuring Mbappe. Taking to social media, he said: “I wish him a good recovery and I hope he can quickly get back on the pitch.
“To French supporters: I am sorry that Kylian Mbappe was injured from our duel,” he added. In the aftermath of the injury, Mbappe was given a France-themed mask, that he has been wearing in training.
However, he will be unable to wear it in any games due to UEFA regulations. Rules state: “Medical equipment (e.g.: head protection, face masks, casts, kneepads or knee braces, elbow pads): Medical equipment worn on the field of play must be a single colour and free of team and manufacturer identification.
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“Items worn on legs and arms should be the same colour as the corresponding playing attire item (e.g. elbow pads or tape used on the arm the same colour as shirt sleeves, and kneepads the same colour as shorts).”
Mbappe had scored 47 goals in 80 appearances for France ahead of his injury. He played a key role in the 1-0 win against Austria, with his cross deflected in by Max Wober. France could potentially seal their place in the knockout rounds of Euro 2024 with victory. A win would put them through with a game to spare.
A point would just about get them over the line, giving them the opportunity to win Group D in their final game against Poland next week. Poland sit bottom of the group and pointless following their 3-1 defeat to Austria in Berlin on Friday.
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