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France suffer a major blow with Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano OUT of the XI for their World Cup semi-final against Morocco after Les Bleus fell ill on the eve of the game… with Ibrahima Konate and Youssouf Fofana coming into the squad
France have left out Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot for tonight’s World Cup semi-final against Morocco, both of whom were ill in preparation for the game.
Les Bleus, who are bidding to become the first back-to-back World Cup champions since Brazil in 1962, fell ill on the eve of the all-important clash.
Key players Rabiot and Upamecano did not train before the game, instead working in and out of the group, and France boss Didier Deschamps was unable to call them up early on tonight. Rabiot is completely out, while Upamecano is on the bench.
France have left Dayot Upamecano (R) and Adrien Rabiot (L) out of their XI to play against Morocco
Instead, Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate and Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana come into the side.
Rabiot and Upamecano played key roles in France’s 2-1 win over England last Saturday, but they also had a missed Harry Kane penalty to thank, and their absence will be a blow.
It’s been quite a remarkable rise for the 27-year-old Rabiot, who refused to be part of France’s provisional squad for the 2018 World Cup, having comfortably filled the boots of the absent Paul Pogba in Qatar, appearing in all five matches. .
Instead, France will rely on the attacking prowess of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud, who all start as expected.
Meanwhile, Aurelien Tchouameni retains his place in midfield, with Jules Kounde on the right, Raphael Varane in the middle and Theo Hernández on the left of defense.
Confirmed France XI: Lloris; Koundé, Varane, Konate, T. Hernández; Fofana, Tchouameni, Griezmann; Dembélé, Giroud, Mbappé
Morocco XI confirmed: Bounou; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Aguerd, Saiss, Mazraoui; Amrabat, Ounahi; Ziech, En Nesyri, Boufal
France will rely on Antoine Griezmann (L), Kylian Mbappe (C) and Olivier Giroud (R) tonight
Morocco, meanwhile, tonight become the first African team to play in a World Cup semi-final, and will not let their extraordinary journey end without a fight.
And the underdogs have received a welcome boost before the match, with Romain Saiss, Nayef Aguerd and Noussair Mazraoui all set to go.
Sofyan Amrabat, Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal are also involved from the start.
France and Morocco are fighting for a place in Sunday’s final, which kicks off at 3pm GMT, with Argentina awaiting after their 3-0 win over Croatia on Tuesday.
The loser of tonight’s clash will instead play in Saturday’s third-place match against Croatia, with play also kicking off at 3pm GMT.