Leipzig — Here it is, the mask of the candidate Mbappé: tricolour, with the rooster on the forehead and the two stars on the temple (they indicate the world titles, one of which he won), in the middle of which is his (but only when he wears the blue shirt) number 10. «It’s a sovereignist mask», someone laughs. But no, it’s just a very French, very national mask, the right mask to protect that nose and the entire nation, which whipped the cream of worry over that fractured septum until it turned into anguish. “Better that he broke his nose than his leg,” the essay debunked Deschampsdeclaring himself “not at all worried” and shortly before announcing to the country that Mbappé he is substantially recovered and is ready to return to playing, without even missing tonight’s match against Holland: «Everything is going well, we will do everything we can to make sure he is available. He’s in the group.” Then, as he said Griezmannhe will decide at the last minute, “based on his sensations”.
UEFA’s brake
You will still have to wear a spare, neutral mask, because the tricolor one is prohibited by the regulations UEFAwhich reads as follows: «The medical equipment worn on the pitch must be in a solid color and not have any identifying mark of the team or the manufacturer».
The masks arrived in Germany
The masks arrived in Leipzig in the hotel that hosts France, right next to the central station. Mbappé wore the colored one for the first time when entering the lawn of the Red Bull Arena, a very energy drink stadium on the outside but still very DDR on the inside: he put it on, took it off, put it back on, put it on it was fixed, he adjusted the elastics, he continued to touch it, he took it off once more and in short he was a normal person dealing with an unnatural element applied to the body. It’s better without it, but you have to get used to it. It is also based on how comfortable or uncomfortable he feels that he will decide today whether to play, and how much.
Mbappé trains with a mask that protects his nose. And that bothers him a lot
He will certainly be available, but his use will be discussed together with Deschamps after a careful risk assessment. «The European Championship doesn’t end tomorrow» says the coach, who doesn’t even want the team to hide behind its captain or for his problems to become an alibi: France is stronger than Holland (in recent years beaten by Deschamps seven times out of eight) even without Mbappé. Even more so if you don’t have De Jong, DeRoon And Koopmeinersthe starting midfield.
Ultimately, what matters is that Mbappé is well and that in the worst case scenario he will miss at most (and, if necessary, out of mere prudence) a match, or part of a match. His nose has deflated, breathing isn’t that difficult, he doesn’t lack courage but he doesn’t lack sanity either. Last night Deschamps tried a Dembélé-Giroud-Barcola trident, for which many of the European coaches would be licking their chops.
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