Football

World Cup 2022: Deschamps wary of virus in the French camp

World Cup 2022: Deschamps wary of virus in the French camp

France manager, Didier Deschamps, has said that he is taking all necessary precautions to stop a virus from spreading through the squad with their World Cup final clash with Argentina just days away. 

Deschamps was without midfielder, Adrien Rabiot, and defender, Dayot Upamecano, for their semi-final against Morocco after the pair were struck down with illness in the lead-up to the match. The France boss is confident that both players will be available for selection for the final but has confirmed that both players have been kept away from the rest of the squad. 

According to ESPN, while Upamecano was fit enough to make the bench against Morocco, Rabiot was under strict instructions to stay in his room back at the team hotel. 

Ahead of the final, Deschamps said:

“In Doha, temperatures have fallen a little bit, you have air conditioning which is on all the time. We’ve had a few cases of flu-like symptoms. We are trying to be careful so it doesn’t spread and players have made great efforts out on the pitch and obviously, their immune systems suffer.

Dayot Upamecano felt sick immediately after the match against England. It happens when you make such an effort, your body is weakened and you are more prone to be infected by these viruses.

We are taking all necessary precautions, we are trying to make sure it doesn’t spread but viruses are of course infectious and we have to take precautions against it. We separated him from others and Adrien as well.”

rabiot

A chance to make history

It’s not surprising that Deschamps is being as cautious as possible ahead of the final on Sunday. World Cup finals don’t come around often, never-mind back to back ones. If Les Blues do come out on top on Sunday then they will become the first nation to win consecutive World Cup titles since Brazil in 1962. 

For players like Olivier Giroud and captain, Hugo Lloris, it may well be the last time they get to represent their country on the biggest stage of them all. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe has the opportunity to become a two-time World Champion at the age of 23. For any of these players to miss out would be devastating, particularly if it’s from an avoidable illness. 

If France are to make history on Sunday afternoon, then they will have to overcome Lionel Messi, who is chasing accolades of his own. The World Cup trophy would be the final piece of the jigsaw in what has been a glittering career.

A return for an injured star?

With Deschamps’ side facing fitness concerns, a potential return for Karim Benzema has been mooted. The Real Madrid striker was ruled out of the World Cup shortly before it began with a thigh injury. 

However, the current ballon d’Or holder has returned to training with his club in recent days and as he was part of France’s World Cup squad, rumours are swirling that he is set to return to the French camp in Qatar to take part in the final. 

While a place on the substitutes bench is surely the best he can expect, the opportunity to have a player of his calibre available for a final is one that Deschamps is unlikely to refuse.


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