June 19th 2024.
In a surprising turn of events, William Saliba found himself in the starting lineup for France's match against Austria. However, it seems that his appearance on the pitch was not without complications. During Wednesday's training, Saliba had to train separately due to some muscular pain. This adds to the list of injury issues that France is currently facing as they prepare for their next Euro 2024 match.
Despite narrowly winning their Euros opener against Austria, the mood in the French camp was far from celebratory. This was due to their captain, Kylian Mbappe, leaving the pitch with a broken nose. While Mbappe will not need to undergo surgery, his availability for the next game against the Netherlands is uncertain. He is expected to wear a mask for the remainder of the tournament and was seen training lightly on his own on Wednesday.
Mbappe's injury, however, is not the only concern for the French team. Reports from L'Equipe suggest that first-choice centre-back pairing Saliba and Dayot Upamecano were also absent from group training. The reason given was "muscular pain," but Saliba was still able to do some training on his own. Left-back Theo Hernandez was also absent, but no explanation was given for his absence.
Saliba's absence from the starting lineup was expected, despite his impressive performance in the Premier League last season. However, manager Didier Deschamps surprised everyone by choosing him over Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate for the Austria match. Saliba did well on the pitch, but this setback may force Deschamps to make some changes for the Netherlands game.
In an interview, Saliba expressed his surprise at being chosen for the Euros and his determination to perform well for the team. He said, "I wasn't really expecting it, but when I got called up for the Euros, I knew I had to be ready for the team." He also acknowledged the intense competition within the team and the pressure to perform at a high level. "The national team jersey is heavier than the club jersey. We have a whole country behind us," he added.
Saliba's defensive partner, Dayot Upamecano, also missed training, adding to the concerns of the French team. However, Saliba remains optimistic and believes that the competition among the players will only make them better. "We pull each other up, we're all friends," he said. "We are lucky to have a lot of good centre-backs. Usually, it's Upamecano and Konate who start and who set the bar high. So I know that when I start, I must not do less than that." The camaraderie and healthy competition among the players are evident, and Saliba's confidence and determination bode well for the French team's future.
It remains to be seen how France will fare in their upcoming match against the Netherlands, but one thing is for sure, Saliba and his teammates will give their all for their country and their fans. As they continue to deal with injuries and setbacks, the French team will need to rely on their depth and team spirit to come out on top.
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