According to ESPN, Rafael Varane showed mild signs of the virus, while his teammate Ibrahim Konate has not left his room since feeling unwell.
Post Date – 11:00 AM, Saturday – 12/17/22
Russell: Defending champions France are affected by the virus, which could see the team’s starting centre-back duo miss Sunday’s World Cup final against Argentina.
According to ESPN, Rafael Varane showed mild signs of the virus, while his teammate Ibrahim Konate has not left his room since feeling unwell.
Varane and Konate were two of five French players who did not train two days before the World Cup final against Argentina. Dayot Upamecano, Adrien Rabiot and Kingsley Coman were all sick early in the week and did not practice on Friday.
France coach Didier Deschamps claimed the team was taking steps to prevent the spread of the virus after Upamecano and Rabiot missed the semi-final win over Morocco.
“In Doha, the temperature has dropped and the air conditioner has been on. We have had several cases of flu-like symptoms. We are trying to be careful so that it doesn’t spread, the players put in a lot of effort on the pitch and obviously their immune systems have been compromised. impact,” ESPN quoted the coach as saying.
Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano are now fit and Didier Deschamps said they could play against Argentina on Sunday.
“One day will be fine. He has been unwell for three days since Saturday… with a fever and that has taken a toll on his stamina. Given the tough game we had, I decided not to play him but to play Konate , because he has shown that he has enough quality to play at this level. Rabiot was sick and got better this afternoon, but not good enough, so he stayed in a hotel. We have four days off, so he Should be better and available for Sunday’s game,” Didier said.
This follows star players Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Karim Benzema, Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernandez and Christopher Nkun The latest blow for France after Coupe missed the game with injury.
In a press conference on Friday, Ousmane Dembele said the team was not concerned about the disease spreading to other players.
“We’re not afraid of this virus. Dayot and Adrien have a bit of a stomachache; I made them ginger honey tea and they feel better. I hope everyone is getting ready for the finals. Dayot is getting better, I think every Individuals will be ready. We have been taking precautions. The first day Dayot was in his room, we brought him food and the next day he came back with everyone,” Dembele said.
Les Bleus are trying to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend their World Cup title.
