French defender Selma Bacha sustained a serious ankle injury during the World Cup dress rehearsal against Australia on Friday (07/14/2023). Despite the uncertainty as to when the 22-year-old will return to action, she remains in the ‘Les Bleues’ squad for the time being.
With tears in her eyes, the defensive specialist from Olympique Lyon was carried off the pitch in added time after the duel with the “Matildas” (0:1). A few hours later, after an X-ray, there was at least a slight all-clear: Bacha had not suffered the feared fracture of the ankle. The next day, an MRI scan revealed a sprained left ankle.
Due to the swelling, which is still severe at the moment, it was not possible for the doctors to give an exact prognosis about the healing process.
The 22-year-old currently has to walk on crutches, so at least her appearance in France’s first group game against outsiders Jamaica next Sunday (July 23, 2023, 12 noon, in the live stream on sportschau.de) seems to be ruled out. A long-term absence of the top defender would undoubtedly weaken Coach Hervé Renard’s team.
“It is terrible for us and for her that she is injured. But we have good medical staff who know their job and take good care of her. We hope that she will come back as soon as possible,” said her Lyon teammate Vicki Becho, who 2019 together with Bacha U19 European Champion.
2023-07-16 14:48:28
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