SM
Ukraine vs. Belgium: 5 hrs 44 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
FN
World Cup | Semi-Finals
Dec 14, 2022 at 7pm UK
Al Bayt Stadium
MN

France
2 - 0
Morocco

Hernandez (5'), Kolo (79')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Boufal (27')

France's Adrien Rabiot, Dayot Upamecano 'doubtful for World Cup semi-final'

:Headline: France's Adrien Rabiot, Dayot Upamecano 'doubtful for World Cup semi-final':
France duo Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano are reportedly both doubts for Wednesday's World Cup semi-final with Morocco after catching colds.
Sports Mole

France duo Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano are reportedly both doubtful for Wednesday's World Cup 2022 semi-final with Morocco due to illness.

Both men have been ever-presents in the first XI under Didier Deschamps during Les Bleus' run to the final four, as they aim to become just the third team in history to win back-to-back World Cups.

Juventus' Rabiot has formed an effective midfield partnership with Aurelien Tchouameni and has impressed in Qatar, scoring once and providing one assist in five matches so far.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich's Upamecano has fended off competition from the likes of Ibrahima Konate and William Saliba to become Raphael Varane's first-choice centre-back partner, and he has also started four games for the reigning champions.

However, L'Equipe reports that Rabiot and Upamecano have both come down with a cold due to the constant air conditioning in Qatar and are not certain to face Morocco in the semi-finals.

Both Rabiot and Upamecano are said to have missed training on Tuesday, and the latter was also not able to take part in Monday's session after presenting symptoms, including a sore throat.

Meanwhile, Rabiot was able to join in with his teammates on Monday, although he has since fallen victim to the bug as well, and the French Football Federation confirmed that both players remained inside yesterday.

There is not thought to be any wider spread of infection in the France camp, and Deschamps should otherwise have all of his players available for Wednesday's pivotal showdown.

Should Upamecano fail to make the cut, Konate is expected to get the nod to partner Varane, while Youssouf Fofana is the most likely candidate to replace Rabiot in the middle.

France have been bedevilled by injuries before and during the tournament, as Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante and Mike Maignan were all ruled out prior to Deschamps's squad announcement.

Presnel Kimpembe was also forced to pull out due to an Achilles problem, while Christopher Nkunku and Karim Benzema withdrew after picking up injuries in training.

Nkunku sustained a serious knee problem during France's final session at Clairefontaine before they flew out to Qatar, while Benzema had only just rejoined team practice before suffering a thigh injury.

However, Benzema is now back in training with Real Madrid, and the Ballon d'Or winner is still available for selection for the semi-final and third-placed playoff or final, as he was never replaced by France after his withdrawal.

Meanwhile, Lucas Hernandez's World Cup lasted all of 13 minutes as he suffered a torn ACL during their opening Group D match with Australia, leading brother Theo Hernandez to take his place for the remainder of the competition.

African trailblazers Morocco also have concerns over defenders Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss and Noussair Mazraoui, and manager Walid Regragui provided a fitness update in his pre-game press conference.

body check tags ::

amp_article__501934 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2022-12-16 02:07:04:
html db last update - 2022-12-16 02:07:04 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!

Click here for more stories about Adrien Rabiot

Click here for more stories about Bayern Munich

Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
France vs. Morocco: How do both squads compare ahead of World Cup clash?
New development? Major 'update' on Ten Hag's Man United future
Arsenal goalkeeper decision confirmed as club release statement
Fulham 'stand firm' as Bayern pursue Palhinha
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CBayer LeverkusenB. Leverkusen34286089246590
2Stuttgart34234778393973
3Bayern MunichBayern34233894454972
4RB Leipzig34198777393865
5Borussia DortmundDortmund34189768432563
6Eintracht FrankfurtFrankfurt34111495150147
7Hoffenheim34137146666046
8Heidenheim341012125055-542
9Werder Bremen34119144854-642
10Freiburg34119144558-1342
11Augsburg34109155060-1039
12Wolfsburg34107174156-1537
13Mainz 05Mainz34714133951-1235
14Borussia MonchengladbachBorussia M'bach34713145667-1134
15Union BerlinUnion Berlin3496193358-2533
16VfL BochumVfL Bochum34712154274-3233
RFC Koln34512172860-3227
RSV Darmstadt 98Darmstadt3438233086-5617
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Preview: Georgia vs. Portugal - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

1

PG

Preview: Slovakia vs. Romania - prediction, team news, lineups

2

PS

Croatia eliminated: Dalic hits out after damaging draw with Italy

NEW

3

CE

Preview: Ukraine vs. Belgium - prediction, team news, lineups

4

PU

The greatest one-club players of all time - Maldini, Adams, Altinordu

NEW

5

TG

Euro 2024 projected last 16 ties - who is on course to reach the knockouts?

6

E2

Euro 2024 permutations: Who needs what to reach last 16?

7

E2

Preview: Czech Republic vs. Turkey - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PC

Surprise move? Man United 'considering' bid for £40m-rated Prem marksman

NEW

9

SM

New development? Major 'update' on Ten Hag's Man United future

10

ND


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .