From our Special Envoy in Doha,
We are not going to tell you about the tanks: it has been two days since we let the Blues live their lives, to concentrate on work a little less close to the field (of football). We went to the field, reporting in Doha, which did not prevent us from keeping up to date with the news of the Blues. Which we are going to go around in this step.
Benzema already back???
It’s the crazy rumor of the day on Monday. Finally, it is already more than a rumor but information, if we are to believe the cross-checking of sources. Although when these come from our Spanish colleagues, we always allow ourselves to take crowbars. First launched by a colleague from Onda Cero little known for his info on Real Madrid, then confirmed and clarified by a more “referenced” journalist on the subject of the White House, the info according to which Karim Benzema would already soon be able to return to the grounds has been on a loop for a few hours.
According to our colleagues, the Madrid staff would have estimated, after new medical examinations, that the injury of the Golden Ball was less serious than that announced by the staff of the Blues, who then advanced a tear in the thigh. If a return of Benzema is theoretically possible during this World Cup, we would not bet our nephew’s Monopoly money on it. The fact remains that, if the info is confirmed, we have not finished hearing about it.
Areola touched (but nothing serious)
While the Blues trained again at the Jassim-bin-Hamad stadium in Doha, the selection’s press officer informed us that “Alphonse Aréola is suffering from minor lower back pain”. “He is spared today and is in care. No major concerns, ”we specify however. Rest assured, therefore, the third goalkeeper of the Blues should quietly return to his post of punching bag for the French attackers during the strike sessions in training.
Veretout does not consider himself a surprise
Present Monday at a press conference, the Marseillais Jordan Veretout, a big surprise on this list in Qatar, said that in his eyes, he was not one. To this question, the former Roma midfielder answered in the negative and added: “I had some very good years in Italy. My start to the season in Marseille has not been perfect but I have shown a good face in recent months. The coach saw it, I think, and that’s why he called me up to this World Cup. As to whether he will be one of the six or seven new players that Deschamps intends to line up against Tunisia on Wednesday, Veretout explained that the coach had not yet given the identity of the players who will make up the starting lineup.
The program of the day
On the eve of facing Tunisia (Wednesday at the Al Rayyan stadium), Didier Deschamps and Hugo Lloris will present themselves at the Doha Convention Center on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. (9:30 a.m. French time). The Blues will then train in the evening at the Jassim-bin-Hamad stadium.