William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano were absent from France’s collective training session on Tuesday, three days before the World Cup semi-final against Spain. According to reports from L’Équipe and Eurosport, the center-back pairing is being “managed” by the coaching staff to ensure peak fitness for the knockout clash.
Saliba and Upamecano Absences Raise Questions Ahead of Spain Clash
The French national team’s preparation for the World Cup semi-final hit a sudden point of scrutiny Tuesday when two primary defensive pillars, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano, did not participate in the group training session. L’Équipe reported the absence of both players, while Eurosport clarified that the duo is being “ménagés”—a term suggesting they are being rested or handled with care to avoid injury or fatigue.
France is preparing to face Spain in a high-stakes semi-final, and the health of the central defense is paramount. Foot Mercato confirmed that captain Kylian Mbappé participated in the collective session, signaling that the team's offensive core remains fully operational.
Current Availability Status of the French Squad
Eurosport reported that Aurélien Tchouaméni was present and active in the session, providing stability to the midfield. The presence of Mbappé and Tchouaméni suggests that the absences of Saliba and Upamecano are likely precautionary rather than the result of catastrophic injuries.
The current status of the French camp can be summarized as follows:
- William Saliba: Absent from collective training (Reported as “managed”).
- Dayot Upamecano: Absent from collective training (Reported as “managed”).
- Kylian Mbappé: Present and participating.
- Aurélien Tchouaméni: Present and participating.
Tactical Implications for the Semi-Final Against Spain
However, the phrasing used by Eurosport suggests the staff is prioritizing the players' availability for the match itself over their participation in a single training session.
France’s Path to the Final
RMC Sport is providing live updates on the French camp, monitoring whether Saliba and Upamecano return to the grass for the final tactical walkthroughs.
Share your thoughts on the French defensive lineup in the comments below.
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