France’s hopes in Euro 2024 are hanging in the balance as they face the possibility of playing without injured superstar Kylian Mbappe in their upcoming match against the Netherlands. Mbappe, who suffered a broken nose in France’s opening match against Austria, will need to wear a mask before he can return to action. With the short turnaround time between matches, it is unlikely that Mbappe will be fit to play against the Dutch.
France coach Didier Deschamps will need to rally his team to secure a positive result against the Netherlands to potentially seal their spot in the last-16 of the tournament. The absence of Mbappe, their captain and key player, will undoubtedly impact the team’s performance. However, midfielder Adrien Rabiot expressed confidence in the squad’s depth and ability to fill the void left by Mbappe.
Despite Mbappe being France’s third-top scorer of all time, his recent goal-scoring record has been less impressive. He has only scored once in France’s last six matches, with his last goal coming in a friendly against Luxembourg. Nevertheless, Mbappe’s impact on France’s performances, notably in the last World Cup where he scored eight goals, cannot be understated.
France has faced the Netherlands twice in Euro 2024 qualifying, with Mbappe scoring braces in both encounters. However, the team has also struggled in recent games without Mbappe, losing to Germany and drawing against Canada. Deschamps will need to rely on the depth and talent of his squad to navigate the challenge of facing a strong Netherlands side without their star striker.
As France prepares to take on the Netherlands without Mbappe, the team will need to come together and step up in his absence. While Mbappe’s injury presents a significant setback, it also provides an opportunity for other players to showcase their abilities and make an impact. The upcoming match against the Netherlands will test France’s strength in depth and their ability to adapt to the absence of their key player.
