June 18th 2024.
During France's opening match of the Euro 2024 tournament, William Saliba, a rising star from Arsenal, impressed fans and his coach, Didier Deschamps, with his performance against Austria. Deschamps, who had recently formed a new defensive partnership for the team, praised Saliba for his contribution to the team's narrow 1-0 win.
Saliba's exceptional form for Arsenal over the past two seasons has earned him a reputation as one of the Premier League's top defenders. However, despite his consistent outstanding performances, he had yet to earn the trust of his national team manager. In fact, Deschamps had even criticized the 23-year-old prior to the tournament, stating that there were certain aspects of his game that he wasn't a fan of.
Leading up to the match, it seemed that Saliba's former RB Leipzig teammates, Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano, would be starting at the heart of France's defense. However, Deschamps surprised everyone by choosing Saliba instead of Liverpool's defensive star, Konate. And Saliba did not disappoint, putting on a solid and composed display on the field.
Deschamps explained his decision to start Saliba, stating that he believed the young defender was more prepared for such a crucial match. However, he also emphasized the importance of having a strong and united team, and that every player, including Saliba, would be needed throughout the tournament. Despite their limited time playing together for the national team, Saliba and Upamecano showed great strength and composure, especially in one-on-one situations.
Unfortunately, the win was not without its setbacks for France. Star player Kylian Mbappe, who recently joined Real Madrid, suffered a suspected broken nose during the match and had to be taken to a hospital for further assessment. Deschamps confirmed the severity of Mbappe's injury and expressed his concern for the team's captain.
The French team will have to wait and see the extent of Mbappe's injury and how long it will take for him to recover. It was a tough blow for the team, as Mbappe's absence would greatly impact their performance. However, Deschamps remains hopeful that the star player will be able to return to the field and help his team in their journey towards the Euro 2024 title.
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