Kylian Mbappe is on the bench for France’s Euro 2024 match against the Netherlands tonight.
France’s star player suffered a broken nose after colliding with Austrian player Kevin Danso during their 1-0 victory in the opening game.
Although there were initial fears he could miss the rest of the tournament, these concerns were quickly dismissed.
Mbappe will begin on the bench as France aims to secure a spot in the last-16 against the Netherlands.
With Mbappe not starting, Didier Deschamps will need to rearrange several players in the lineup.
Kylian Mbappe will reportedly start on the bench for France’s clash against the Netherlands
It comes after Mbappe suffered a broken nose during France’s clash with Austria
Didier Deschamps has been forced to reshuffle his side due to Mbappe’s injury
Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram will now start up front after he played on the left against Austria.
Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot would move from his midfield role to the left wing, with Ousmane Dembele keeping his place on the right.
The player coming in for Mbappe is said to be Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, who has not played for over a month as he recovered from a fractured foot.
Another talking point was whether William Saliba would keep his place and the French outlet believes that he will again start ahead of Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate alongside Dayot Upamecano.
Mbappe, who is joining Real Madrid this summer with his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expiring, will undergo surgery on his broken nose after the competition is finished.
For the remainder of the tournament he will wear a mask, with Mbappe showing off a new French-themed face covering in training this week.
But he will not be able to use his new accessory in the colours of the French flag.
Article 42 of the UEFA regulations reads: ‘Medical equipment worn on the playing field must be of a single colour and must not allow the team or manufacturer to be identified.’
Mbappe might not be allowed to wear his France-themed mask if he comes on tonight
Aurelien Tchouameni (left) is set to return to action after being out with a fractured foot
Marcus Thuram will move into Mbappe’s role up front, with Rabiot said to be playing on the left
Mbappe trained for the first time since sustaining the injury on Wednesday and was spotted wearing a nose protector instead of a full mask.
France boss Didier Deschamps later revealed that things were looking positive for Mbappe but his fitness would be judged closer to kick-off.
‘I can confirm that Kylian Mbappe is feeling better and all is evolving well to see him available for tomorrow,’ Deschamps said on Thursday. ‘It’s moving in the right direction.’