DOHA: Several French players have caught colds, the French Football Federation says, as they prepare for the World Cup final against Argentinawith Raphael Varana and Ibrahima Konaté, the last to fall ill on Friday.
Central defender Dayot Upamecano and midfielder Adrien Rabiot missed Wednesday’s 2-0 semi-final win over Morocco due to illness.
Coach Didier The fields refused to panic after Wednesday’s game and said he was making sure the disease didn’t spread.
Forward Randal Kolo Muaniwho came off the bench to score France’s second goal in their win over Morocco, said on Friday: “There’s a little flu that’s spread but nothing serious. They’ll be cured soon and ready for Sunday .”
A French press officer added: “As you know, Randall isn’t a doctor, we’ll talk about that later.”
Kolo Muani said players who fell ill were isolated.
“Those who are sick stay in their rooms, they are cared for by doctors and we have imposed social distancing. We are very strict about this,” he said.
Striker Ousmane Dembele said: “We are not afraid of this virus. Dayot and Adrian had a little stomach ache, I made them a tea with ginger and honey and then they felt better. I hope everyone will be ready for the final.
“Dayot got better and I think everyone will be ready. We took precautions. On the first day, Dayot stayed in his room and we brought him food and he was back with everyone the next day. the following day.”
Deschamps was confident Upamecano and Rabiot would be fit for Sunday’s showdown at the Lusail stadium.
“Dayot will be fit. Since Saturday he hasn’t been well for three days…had a fever and it impacted his strength,” he said on Wednesday.
“Considering the difficult game we had, I decided not to play him and play Konaté instead because he showed he was good enough to play at this level.
“Rabiot was ill, he was better this afternoon but not well enough so he stayed at the hotel. We have four days to rest so he should be better and be available for Sunday.”
If Konaté and Varane were out, however, Deschamps would face a tough selection decision, as he would be without two of his top three defenders.
Central defender Dayot Upamecano and midfielder Adrien Rabiot missed Wednesday’s 2-0 semi-final win over Morocco due to illness.
Coach Didier The fields refused to panic after Wednesday’s game and said he was making sure the disease didn’t spread.
Forward Randal Kolo Muaniwho came off the bench to score France’s second goal in their win over Morocco, said on Friday: “There’s a little flu that’s spread but nothing serious. They’ll be cured soon and ready for Sunday .”
A French press officer added: “As you know, Randall isn’t a doctor, we’ll talk about that later.”
Kolo Muani said players who fell ill were isolated.
“Those who are sick stay in their rooms, they are cared for by doctors and we have imposed social distancing. We are very strict about this,” he said.
Striker Ousmane Dembele said: “We are not afraid of this virus. Dayot and Adrian had a little stomach ache, I made them a tea with ginger and honey and then they felt better. I hope everyone will be ready for the final.
“Dayot got better and I think everyone will be ready. We took precautions. On the first day, Dayot stayed in his room and we brought him food and he was back with everyone the next day. the following day.”
Deschamps was confident Upamecano and Rabiot would be fit for Sunday’s showdown at the Lusail stadium.
“Dayot will be fit. Since Saturday he hasn’t been well for three days…had a fever and it impacted his strength,” he said on Wednesday.
“Considering the difficult game we had, I decided not to play him and play Konaté instead because he showed he was good enough to play at this level.
“Rabiot was ill, he was better this afternoon but not well enough so he stayed at the hotel. We have four days to rest so he should be better and be available for Sunday.”
If Konaté and Varane were out, however, Deschamps would face a tough selection decision, as he would be without two of his top three defenders.
