In a day before the match against Austria more devoted to the political situation in the country, with the speaking of Kylian Mbappé and Didier Deschamps at a press conference in Düsseldorf, he was also (a little) football question. We summarize this for you in a few words.
Deschamps, the players and the elections
Unlike his players, the coach managed the feat of not expressing the slightest political position while the far right has never been so close to taking power in France, paying lip service to “ a civic duty which has always been important and it still is, in relation to the next deadlines. » Failing this, Didier Deschamps said he gave his players complete freedom if they wanted to discuss the subject among themselves. Too kind.
“If I have to intervene and say something, my intervention is inappropriate. But as long as the group is focused and doing things, there can be discussions. I could have said: given the situation, stay focused on the athlete. I abstained because it would have been interpreted as a ban on speaking. They are citizens, that is part of the context. They are focused on the sporting objective but not disconnected from what can happen around them, before and after. »
Mbappé seals the question of the Olympics
For those who are still interested, apart from Thierry Henry we mean, Kylian Mbappé seems to have taken stock of the question of his presence or not at the Paris Olympics. “My club (Real Madrid) has a very clear position, from there I think I will not participate in the Games. It’s a truth, it’s like that, he assured. I’m joining a new team. And arriving in September for a new adventure isn’t the best start. Now, I will wish the best to this French team. I will watch all the matches of course, as a supporter. I am an actor, I will be a spectator. I hope they will bring us the gold medal. »
Rabiot and Saliba holders
As mentioned twenty-four hours ago by our colleagues at The Team, William Saliba should experience his first start in Blue in a major competition on Monday, during the match against Austria. Ditto for Adrien Rabiot who, although not having played the two preparation matches against Luxembourg and Canada, would be favored by DD to accompany Griezmann and Kanté in midfield. Bad news for Eduardo Camavinga, who was aiming to be in the starting XI this summer.
Today’s program
After a final training session in Düsseldorf, late Sunday afternoon, the Blues have a meeting with Austria this Monday, at 9 p.m., at the Merkur Spiel-Arena. A match that you can follow live on our site from 7 p.m.