Stunning display by Mbappé against a weakened Paderborn squad
The entire football world's eyes are on Kylian Mbappe, as France waits anxiously for his potential return against Poland. After scoring in a warm-up match against SC Paderborn's young squad, Mbappe is optimistic about his comeback.
Is he playing? Or will he sit this one out? For days, speculations have run rampant about Mbappe's anticipated return to the French national team, which is eagerly anticipating the return of its masked hero. Just before the final group match, the injured superstar striker takes the next step, even managing to score already.
He netted his first goals in a game since his nasal bone fracture on Saturday, in a training match against SC Paderborn's youth team. However, the test has left the French nation hoping for a Tuesday (6 pm) appearance against Poland, where it's crucial for Didier Deschamps' team to make it to the EURO 16-team knockout stage in Dortmund.
Starting Lineup and Coman Stay in the Hotel
According to multiple sources, even masked Mbappe trained twice for 30 minutes each. However, both teams were asked to avoid any intense exercises to prevent injuries. While the French starting lineup and late substitute Kingsley Coman remained in the hotel, as reported by Deschamps' team, the training match provided Mbappe an opportunity to get accustomed to his carbon-optic face shield.
He didn't need it on Friday in Leipzig. The 25-year-old spent 90 minutes on the bench and watched as his teammates failed to find the net against the opponent. Despite his optimistic pre-match demeanor, Deschamps kept Mbappe on the sidelines. He didn't deceive me, Deschamps assured afterward. The future Real Madrid striker is "doing well, improving every day." If it had been a decisive game, he might have reconsidered bringing him in.
"Efficiency at this level is crucial"
Does Deschamps' decision before the match against already-eliminated Poland weigh heavily on him? After all, it's crucial for the Vice-World Champion to advance, even if they have four points in Group D and the Round of 16 seems almost guaranteed. But fans and the team are also eagerly waiting for a goal from Mbappe after two games. In the opening match against Austria, where he was injured, an own goal had secured the 1:0 victory for France.
However, Deschamps is not concerned about the ineffective offense. He would be more worried if France wasn't getting any opportunities. "But efficiency at this level is obviously crucial," the trainer admitted: "We still have room for improvement." Despite his satisfaction with the supposed top game of the group stage against the Netherlands (0:0), Deschamps acknowledges: "We need to score more goals." Whether Mbappe can provide the relief soon remains to be seen.
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Despite his impressive performance against Paderborn and the optimism surrounding his return, Kylian Mbappe's participation in France's upcoming match at the European Football Championship 2024 remains uncertain. The French national team will be eager to have their star striker back, as they aim to advance in the tournament.
As football fans around Europe anticipate Mbappe's return, speculations continue about his availability for the crucial group stage matches, with France looking to score more goals and secure a spot in the knockout stage.
