France Faces Netherlands Test Without Injured Mbappe

France, boasting an impressive squad depth, faces a significant challenge in the absence of their talismanic forward Kylian Mbappe, who is sidelined with a broken nose. The injury, sustained in their opening Euro 2024 match against Austria, casts doubt on Mbappe's availability for the upcoming clash with the Netherlands on Friday.

Despite the setback, France remains confident in their ability to overcome the Netherlands without their star striker. Midfielder Adrien Rabiot expressed optimism, stating, "We have an exceptional squad. I have total confidence in the guys on the bench and the quality we have."

Mbappe's absence is a significant blow, given his prolific scoring record and impact on the team's performances. However, France has shown resilience in recent matches without him, including a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in Euro 2024 qualifying.

Coach Didier Deschamps has several options to replace Mbappe, including veteran striker Olivier Giroud, who played a key role in France's World Cup triumph in Qatar. Giroud, despite his age and recent groin injury, remains a reliable goal threat.

Another option is Marcus Thuram, who can move from the left wing to a central role. However, Thuram has limited international experience and has only scored twice for France. Randal Kolo Muani is another possibility, but he has struggled for confidence after a difficult season at PSG.

Despite the absence of Mbappe, France's performance against Austria suggests they have the defensive solidity to shut out most opponents. N'Golo Kante's return to the midfield has provided stability, while the defense has looked impressive.

If France can secure a positive result against the Netherlands, they could seal their place in the last 16, allowing Mbappe to potentially sit out the final Group D game against Poland. However, the team will be eager to prove that they can succeed without their star player, demonstrating the depth and quality of their squad.

Tags: #Euro2024, #France, #Netherlands, #KylianMbappe, #OlivierGiroud