France captain Kylian Mbappe, initially ruled out of the group stage due to a broken nose sustained during their opening Group D win against Austria, made a return to the squad for the crucial match against the Netherlands. Despite, returning he started on the bench, now the question lingers if the French captain will return in the France vs Poland Euro 2024 game.
Initially deemed unfit for the remainder of the group-stage games, the Real Madrid forward was later cleared to participate, equipped with a protective mask to prevent further injury. However, Mbappe remained on the substitute bench, as France played out a goalless draw against the Netherlands.
Will Kylian Mbappe play in France vs Poland?
Coach Didier Deschamps, rather than opting for a direct replacement for Mbappe in the significant clash against the Netherlands, chose a tactical adjustment by adding an extra midfielder. Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouameni was selected to help control the game.
As France prepares for the final group-stage match against Poland, Mbappe is expected to start on the bench again. Group D is tightly contested, with France sitting in second place with four points, level with group leaders the Netherlands and just one point ahead of Austria. This final match is vital for France as they aim to top the group heading into the knockout rounds.
Despite being eliminated from Euro 2024, Poland could still pose a threat as they play without pressure and look to end their tournament on a high note. Deschamps is anticipated to avoid risking Mbappé by starting him against Poland, relying instead on the depth of his star-studded squad to secure victory.
With the knockout stages approaching, Deschamps is expected to make minimal changes to the team. He plans to reserve a fully fit and explosive Mbappé for the critical knockout matches of Euro 2024. As France aims to finish at the top of their group, the final match against Poland will test the squad’s depth and resilience, with the knockout rounds looming on the horizon.
Editors pick
