France manager Dider Deschamps has claimed Kylian Mbappe is struggling to adjust to his new protective face mask after suffering a broken nose, but insisted he is eager to get back on the pitch at Euro 2024.
The Les Blues captain was an unused substitute in France’s goalless draw against the Netherlands last Friday and they take on Poland in their final group clash later today.
Mbappe is expected to be called upon for the first time since his nose was brutally broken in France’s tournament opener against Austria, with the Poland clash set to see him wearing his new protective mask for the first time.
The 25-year-old had a specially designed face mask made for him after undergoing a procedure.
An original mask featured a French flag design that was later banned by UEFA due to it not conforming to their rules and regulations on face-wear, with Mbappe now having to wearing an all-black design.
Dider Deschamps has claimed Kylian Mbappe is struggling to adjust to his new face mask
Mbappe is wearing the protective mask after he broke his nose in France’s clash with Austria
Deschamps has revealed the Real Madrid superstar is struggling to see out of the mask
Mbappe appeared to be in some discomfort while wearing his face protector during France’s warm-ups before their game against the Netherlands wher he was frequently asking staff to adjust it.
Now, France manager Deschamps has revealed the Real Madrid star is struggling to see out of the mask, but insisted the striker has to ‘get used to it’.
‘Breathing, no. But vision, yes. It limits vision a little. It’s supposed to protect so in certain situations, it limits the angle of view,’ Deschamps explained.
‘A greater risk of playing in the middle? No, the contacts are everywhere, in all the duels. It all depends on the position. You have to get used to it, it feels like you have 3D glasses.
Mbappe jokingly threw his face mask away during a training session on Sunday
THe forward was left with the brutal injury after colliding with Austria defender Kevin Danso
‘It’s better every day. He was in our training sessions. The bruise has gone down a lot. He’s getting used to the mask.
‘He wants to play, he’s raring to go. He wanted to play against the Netherlands and he wants to play [against Poland].’
Mbappe cut a frustrated appearance as he was left on the bench last time out as France’s management team decided the Netherlands game was too early for him to make his return.
France must beat Poland in Tuesday’s match and outscore the Netherlands, who play Austria, to guarantee top spot in Group D.