France team Train Ahead of World Cup Final Despite a Virus
After a virus kept a few players out of practice this week, the whole France team showed up for a training session on the eve of Sunday’s World Cup final versus Argentina.
The team is taking efforts to stem the spread of the disease, which has afflicted a handful of players, coach Didier Deschamps said earlier on Saturday.
Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate, a central defensive duo, were absent from Friday’s training session along with winger Kingsley Coman, while Adrien Rabiot, a midfielder, and Dayot Upamecano, a defender, were absent from Wednesday’s semi-final victory over Morocco.
However, all 24 members of the France team were there when their Saturday evening practice in Doha began.
In his pre-game press conference, Deschamps stated that the France team was “trying to take as many safeguards as possible.”
Although it would be preferable if this were not occurring, he stated, “We are treating it as well as we can with our medical professionals.”
Before the team practiced at the home stadium of Qatari champions Al Sadd, Deschamps and his captain Hugo Lloris said they were unable to provide any health updates.
“No problem. The players were all sleeping because I departed early this morning, Deschamps said to reporters at 11:30 a.m. local time.
“We’re doing our best to control the situation while maintaining composure and concentration.”
Later today, I’ll gather more information, and I’ll consider it tonight and perhaps tomorrow. Of course, we’re excited to be prepared for this crucial game.
The team has recently been experiencing a variety of symptoms, including fever, stomach pain, and headaches, according to players, staff, and other close friends of the group.
FIFA has no longer mandated Covid-19 testing, but precautions have been taken, including isolating some players at the team’s accommodation.
France hopes to successfully defend the World Cup for the first time since Brazil in 1962.
In what is expected to be Lionel Messi’s final encounter at the tournament, they will compete against an Argentina team that is focused on capturing the championship.
Regarding the concerns of illness, Lloris said, “We are never really prepared for this type of scenario, but we are trying to prepare in the best way possible.”
We are pleased to be playing in a World Cup final, but we remain focused.
