France still sweating over Mbappe's fitness for Portugal game
EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: CONTAINS WHITE FLASHES
SHOWS:
LISBON, PORTUGAL (NOVEMBER 13, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)
1. FRANCE COACH, DIDIER DESCHAMPS, WALKING ONTO PITCH WEARING A MASK
2. SQUAD WALKING ONTO PITCH FOR TEAM MEETING
3. FRANCE STRIKER, KYLIAN MBAPPE, STANDING ON PITCH WEARING A MASK FOR MEETING
4. DESCHAMPS AND COACHING STAFF
5. SQUAD HUDDLED ON PITCH IN MOMENT OF SILENCE
6. SQUAD BREAKING UP HUDDLE TO START TRAINING SESSION
7. TRAINER PUTTING BRACELET ON MBAPPE
8. SQUAD WARMING UP ON PITCH
9. FRANCE FORWARD, ANTOINE GRIEZMANN, WARMING UP
10. FRANCE MIDFIELDER, PAUL POGBA, DURING WARM UP
11. SQUAD WARMING UP ON PITCH
12. VARIOUS OF MBAPPE JOGGING ON PITCH APART FROM THE REST OF THE SQUAD (3 SHOTS)
13. GRIEZMANN WARMING UP
14. SQUAD WARMING UP AND PASSING BALLS
15. DESCHAMPS LOOKING AT PIECE OF PAPER
16. POGBA RUNNING
17. GOALKEEPERS TRAINING
18. VARIOUS OF SQUAD STRETCHING
19. MBAPPE RUNNING HIGH-KNEES APART FROM THE REST OF THE SQUAD
20. SQUAD STRETCHING IN MIDDLE OF PITCH IN EMPTY STADIUM
LISBON, PORTUGAL (NOVEMBER 13, 2020) (RTP - ACCESS ALL)
21. FRANCE COACH, DIDIER DESCHAMPS, WALKING INTO NEWS CONFERENCE
22. WHITE FLASH
23. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRANCE COACH, DIDIER DESCHAMPS, ON MBAPPE, SAYING:
"He (Mbappe) will do the first part of the training session on his own, because he's got specific work to do and we will see what happens. With him, like with other players, I will obviously wait to see how the training session goes today and we will look at the situation tomorrow morning to see how everyone is before making these decisions for tomorrow's match."
24. WHITE FLASH
25. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRANCE COACH, DIDIER DESCHAMPS, ON FACING PORTUGAL, SAYING:
"Portugal is going to do everything to win the match, and so are we. It's tough to predict what is going to happen. It is probably going to be similar to other matches we've had with two very solid, very strategic squads. We can start with intentions to control the ball, but that doesn't guarantee success. But the intentions, both for Portugal and for us, will be there. We've not come here to suffer, but it is possible that at times we will. But every team, Portugal or any other squad among the best in Europe and in the world will try to have the ball and create problems for their opponents, but when you don't have the ball, it's also about being effective in defence. Both teams were very good in the match in October. So, we will see tomorrow."
STORY: France striker Kylian Mbappe faces a late fitness test ahead of their Nations League A Group 3 clash away to Portugal, coach Didier Deschamps said on Friday (November 13).
The Paris St Germain forward missed Les Bleus's 2-0 home defeat by Finland with a thigh injury that made his presence for the Portugal trip on Saturday uncertain.
"He's going to do the first part of the training session tonight on his own and for him, and others, we'll assess tomorrow morning," Deschamps told a news conference.
Defenders Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard and forward Kinglsey Coman missed the Finland game, which ended France's 12-match unbeaten streak.
The world champions are second in the table on 10 points, behind European champions Portugal on goal difference.
Both teams shared the points in a goalless stalemate in the first group meeting at the Stade de France last month.
