According to French media outlet L’Equipe, the French national team is facing an injury crisis as both central defenders, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano, have been absent from Wednesday’s training session due to muscle pain. The positive news is that Olivier Giroud will return to join team practice. Kylian Mbappe will be back on the training pitch but will only train individually.
In France’s opening match, Saliba earned a starting spot alongside Upamecano, impressing in his role. This was Saliba’s first major international tournament start for France. With less than two days remaining until the highly anticipated France-Netherlands clash, the center-back partnership could potentially be missing from the field.
L’Equipe reports that both Saliba and Upamecano missed Wednesday’s training due to muscle issues. However, Didier Deschamps received some encouragement as Giroud, who had missed Tuesday’s session due to a minor injury, will indeed take part in the team’s collective practice on Wednesday. There is also a mixed update on Mbappe, who suffered a nose fracture during the match against Austria. He will undergo further checks on Wednesday. Although he has rejoined the squad for training, Mbappe won’t participate in full team sessions. Instead, he will run circuits on the pitch to maintain his fitness.