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- Mbappe 'getting better every day' and wants to play against Poland at Euro 2024, France coach says
Mbappe 'getting better every day' and wants to play against Poland at Euro 2024, France coach says
Mon, Jun 24, 2024
Soccer News (AP)
![Mbappe 'getting better every day' and wants to play against Poland at Euro 2024, France coach says](images/news/mbapp-x27getting-better-every-dayx27-and-wants-to-play-against-poland-at-euro-2024-france-coach-says-monday-june-24-2024.jpg)
DORTMUND, Germany (AP) - France superstar Kylian Mbappe appears closer to making a return at the European Championship.
The Real Madrid-bound striker sustained a broken nose in France's opening 1-0 win over Austria and didn't come off the bench for the 0-0 draw with the Netherlands on Friday.
France coach Didier Deschamps didn't give much away Monday when pressed if Mbappe was available for the Group D closer against Poland on Tuesday, when he would have to wear a protective mask.
"He's getting better every day - yesterday, he was in our training session, the bruise has gone down and he's getting used to playing in a mask," Deschamps said. "He wants to play - he wanted to play against the Netherlands and wants to play against Poland."
A bigger clue was perhaps given by one of Mbappe's teammates, with midfielder N'Golo Kante saying it "is a huge advantage to have him on the team."
"He was great, decisive and dangerous," Kante said of Mbappe's performance in practice. "I think he feels well and I hope this translates on the pitch tomorrow."
Mbappe wore a mask when he played in a behind-closed-doors match against a local team on Saturday and has done each day in training.
Deschamps said the mask is limiting Mbappe's vision but wouldn't describe it as a "constraint."
"Breathing, no; the way he sees, yes," Deschamps said.
"Maybe it's hindering but its something he'll get used to."
France will guarantee advancing to the knockout stage with a point against Poland at Dortmund's Westfalenstadion.
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AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024
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