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Bitter news for France just before the round of 16 VM against Paraguay (23:00, MagentaTV and in Current ticker on bild.de): Vice-captain Aurélien Tchouameni (25 years old) is injured!
According to French broadcaster RMC Sport, the Real Madrid star complained of hip problems during the final training session. The midfielder had to stop the session and will not be able to play against Paraguay.
Bitter setback for Équipe Tricolore. Tchuameni is one of the most important pillars of the team and usually provides balance in the midfield with his strength in duels and vision of the game. In the matches against Senegal, Norway and Sweden, he was on the field the entire distance. Chuameni was spared only against Iraq.
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At least there is hope: initial estimates are that the 25-year-old will miss around four days. If France survives the round of 16, Tchouameni will be ready to play again in a possible quarter-final on July 9. The medical team will now monitor his progress daily.
Manu Kone (25) is expected to start as a substitute. The Roma midfielder must defend the center together with Adrien Rabiot and make up for the loss of the vice-captain.
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Despite the bad news, France is the clear favorite to face Paraguay. Above all, superstar Kylian Mbappe (28) must lead the charge and take the next step towards the title.
Probable composition of the French national team:
Maignan – Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne – Kone, Rabiot – Dembele, Olise, Barcola – Mbappe.
If this team manages to reach the quarter-finals, a real test could await them there against Morocco or hosts Canada and France. The two countries will face each other in the first round of the World Cup round of 16 at 7 p.m. (MagentaTV and ZDF, also in Current ticker on bild.de) opposite.