France is dealing with a virus sweeping through the national team squad at the World Cup. Several players missed the previous semi-final matchup with Morocco and others are currently ill.
The defending champions are bidding to become the third country to win back-to-back World Cups.
Kingsley Coman, Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot were forced to stay away from the team earlier in the week. Illness caused the trio to miss Morocco’s big game on Wednesday.
France, however, drove the African nation 2-0 to reach the final on Sunday against Argentina.
Captain affirms that the ‘adrenaline’ will help sick players
As other players fall ill, team captain Hugo Lloris suggested that the adrenaline rush will help his teammates recover for the next game.
“About the virus, you’re never really prepared for that kind of thing, but we’re trying to prepare for this match as best we can, these are things we weren’t necessarily prepared for, but we’re staying focused and of course we’re very excited to play a World Cup final”, explained Lloris.
“I think in the past we have shown that successful French teams have always based that success on strong team spirit. So we try to take advantage of that, there is a very good feeling in the camp since the beginning of the tournament and there is no reason why it won’t be the same tomorrow.”
“We are going to try to do our best despite the circumstances, I think thanks to the adrenaline and the excitement that we will feel we will all be fit enough and ready to do what we can to win this last battle.”
Three plants have been sick
Along with the aforementioned trio, Rafael Varane and Ibrahima Konate have also shown symptoms.
ESPN claims that Coman, Varane and Konate are still training away from the normal group. The news outlet also reported that manager Didier Deschamps did not provide any updates on the illness during his press conference on Saturday.
France has a deep and talented team at this World Cup. The team has even reached the final without its Ballon d’Or striker Karim Benzema. However, the central defense position could become a problem.
Three of the players who are ill have played important minutes in central defense during the tournament.
Photo credit: IMAGO/Icon Sportswire
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