Kylian Mbappé will start for France in their crucial Euro 2024 Group D match against Poland on Tuesday, showcasing his importance in the French lineup.
Sources reveal that France manager Didier Deschamps informed the team of this decision earlier today. The 25-year-old striker had suffered a broken nose during France’s opening 1-0 victory against Austria, which led to him being benched for the goalless draw with the Netherlands as he continued his recovery.
Although Mbappé did not require surgery, he will wear a protective mask during the game. Over the weekend, he demonstrated his readiness by scoring two goals in a behind-closed-doors practice match.
In a news conference on Monday, Deschamps confirmed that Mbappé was “raring to go” for the Poland game but acknowledged that the mask slightly impairs his vision.
“No problems with breathing but the way he sees, yes,” Deschamps stated. “For those who play with a mask, it’s not a constraint but it does limit your vision. He wears it because he needs to protect his face in certain incidents that could occur.”
France has already secured a spot in the round of 16, thanks to their win over Austria and draw with the Netherlands. To clinch the top position in Group D, they must outperform the Netherlands’ result against Austria.
Poland, on the other hand, has been eliminated from Euro 2024 after losing their first two matches, making this game a formality for them.
By starting Kylian Mbappé, France aims to maintain their momentum and secure the top spot in Group D, a crucial step for their Euro 2024 campaign.
