There we are, the smell of cleaver matches, the breath in front of the passing minutes and the extensions that point the tip of their nose. The final phase of the World Cup started this Saturday with the qualification of the Netherlands against the United States (3-1) and that of Argentina against Australia (2-1). France of the racing car Mbappé knows it: a defeat this Sunday afternoon at the end of 90, 120 minutes or more against Poland, and it will be necessary to return home, leaving Qatar the trophy acquired four years ago.
For their last day of preparation, the Blues did not deviate from their ritual. A press conference for the coach and the future selection record holder Hugo Lloris, then a training session that looks like the ultimate set-up.
A complete lock-up
No one was missing at 24 hours of the round of 16. Théo Hernandez had been spared Friday due to a small bruise on his left ankle. As expected, the Milan side found the group on Saturday. He therefore logically applies for a starting place against Poland to support Mbappé in the left lane. A formidable connection feared by the White Eagles, ready to rent a “scooter” for the occasion.
The titular team should be the exact copy of the one lined up against Denmark (2-1) in the second group match eight days ago.
Only the first quarter of an hour of this training was open to the media. We only had the right to sequences of juggling and stretching. After the installation of Didier Deschamps, did some try to shoot on goal? The coach is not a fan of this preparation but Antoine Griezmann indicated on Friday that he might take some in the absence of the media.
sentence of the day
For Hugo Lloris, either, the usefulness of specific penalty shootout training should not be overestimated. This unique exercise conceals a somewhat mystical part. Some call it a “lottery”. Hugo Lloris had used this term after the elimination against Switzerland in June 2021 (3-3, 4-5 tab). He explained this Saturday at a press conference. “There is a part of preparation but also of instinct, of feeling at the time. The goalkeeper must trust himself,” he said. A remark that is just as valid for shooting candidates.
The referee
It is Jesus Valenzuela who will be in charge of the eighth final of the Blues at Al-Thumama Stadium. An international referee since 2013, he first officiated in his native country, Venezuela, before rising in rank. On this World Cup, Valenzuela only led one match: the England-United States shock, which ended in a sad draw (0-0), on Friday, November 25.
Mbappe’s tribute
An hour and a half before taking part in training, the PSG striker wanted to send a message to King Pelé. Some media had already announced it for a few hours in palliative care. “Let’s pray for the King,” he wrote on Twitter, with emoticons of the Brazilian flag and a crown.
Pelé, 82, had been suffering from a “respiratory infection” in recent days. But his general state of health had improved, Sao Paulo hospital said on Friday, where he was admitted on Tuesday. As a reminder, the Brazilian legend has colon cancer, detected in September 2021.
