Didier Deschamps, the French national team coach, has announced several changes to the lineup for their upcoming friendly match against Colombia. The game will take place on Sunday in Landover, Maryland, as part of the current international FIFA window.
Lineup Changes Ahead of Colombia Friendly
Deschamps intends to evaluate as many players as possible before selecting the final squad for the North American World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19. He emphasized the necessity of rotation during a press conference.
Recent Victory Over Brazil
France recently secured a notable 2-1 victory against Brazil in Foxborough, near Boston. This win featured a strong starting eleven, but Deschamps is now keen to explore different options.
Injury Updates
- Adrien Rabiot is doubtful for the match due to a knee injury.
- Désiré Doué has improved after struggling with back pain.
Deschamps stated, “Rabiot will not train for precautionary reasons after taking a knock to his knee.” Conversely, Doué, who had previously experienced rib pain, will participate in practice to assess his condition further.
Left-Back Competition
One focal point for the coaching staff is deciding on the left-back position. The contenders, Theo Hernandez and Lucas Digne, are set to compete for the starting role.
Mbappé’s Possible Absence
Kylian Mbappé, the star forward currently playing for Real Madrid, may not feature in the match. Although he netted his 56th goal for France against Brazil, he is recovering from a knee sprain that sidelined him for nearly a month. It is likely Mbappé will start on the bench and potentially enter later in the game.
Colombia’s Recent Performance
Colombia, who will face France, arrives in Maryland after a 2-1 defeat to Croatia. Their captain, James Rodríguez, had a lackluster performance in Orlando, raising questions about the team’s readiness for the upcoming match.
