Mbappe Injury Euro 2024: France Faces Netherlands Without Star Striker
France’s captain, Kylian Mbappe, suffered a broken nose during their Euro 2024 opening match against Austria. While the injury doesn’t require surgery, Mbappe will need to wear a protective mask before returning to play. The tight match schedule makes it unlikely he’ll be available for the crucial game against the Netherlands, raising concerns about France’s offensive capabilities. This injury casts a shadow over France’s Euro 2024 campaign, as Mbappe’s absence significantly impacts their attacking prowess.
Mbappe’s injury occurred after a collision with Austrian defender Kevin Danso, forcing him to be substituted. The French Football Federation confirmed the broken nose and the need for a mask, but ruled out surgery. While the team hopes for a positive result against the Netherlands to secure their place in the last 16, allowing Mbappe to potentially rest during the final group stage match against Poland, his absence against a strong Dutch side is a significant blow.
France’s coach, Didier Deschamps, acknowledges Mbappe’s importance as captain and leader, but expresses confidence in the squad’s depth. Midfielder Adrien Rabiot echoed this sentiment, highlighting the team’s exceptional bench strength and expressing faith in the available replacements. Despite these reassurances, replacing a player of Mbappe’s caliber poses a considerable challenge. Mbappe’s prolific scoring record, including eight goals in the previous World Cup, underscores his crucial role in the team’s success. His absence raises questions about France’s ability to maintain their offensive momentum.
Mbappe’s impact on France’s performance is undeniable. He boasts an impressive record of 47 goals in 80 appearances for the national team, placing him third on the all-time scoring list behind Olivier Giroud and Thierry Henry. While his recent scoring form has been less prolific, with only one goal in the last six matches, his presence on the field significantly influences the team’s dynamics and attacking threat. His performance in previous encounters against the Netherlands, scoring braces in both Euro 2024 qualifying matches, further highlights his importance in this fixture.
France’s recent performances without Mbappe have been less convincing. A 2-1 friendly loss to Germany and a goalless draw against Canada, both with limited Mbappe involvement, demonstrate the team’s struggles in his absence. These results underscore the challenge France faces in compensating for Mbappe’s offensive contributions. The team’s reliance on his individual brilliance is evident, raising concerns about their ability to generate scoring opportunities without him.
{width=246 height=164} Could the veteran Giroud play a more important role than expected for France at Euro 2024 after Mbappe's injury? © Patricia de Melo Moreira, AFP / file Olivier Giroud emerges as the most likely replacement for Mbappe, despite their contrasting playing styles. Although Giroud is a seasoned striker with a proven track record, his age (37) and recent groin injury raise concerns about his fitness and ability to replicate Mbappe’s dynamism. His experience and prior success in stepping up during crucial moments, notably in the previous World Cup following Karim Benzema’s injury, provide a glimmer of hope for France.
Other options include Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani, but both lack experience and consistent scoring records at the international level. While France’s strong defensive performance against Austria, bolstered by N’Golo Kante’s return, suggests they can contain opponents effectively, their offensive capabilities without Mbappe remain a significant concern. The team’s success in navigating this challenge will heavily depend on Deschamps’ tactical adjustments and the performance of Mbappe’s replacement.