KYLIAN MBAPPE has been spotted for the first time with a nose protector on as he returned to training following his broken nose.
France defeated Austria 1-0 to kick off their Euro 2024 campaign on Monday – but the win came at a cost.
Star man Mbappe, 25, was forced off late on after suffering a broken nose following a horror collision with defender Kevin Danso that left him covered in blood.
The forward – who has joined Real Madrid – was rushed to hospital straight after the game as fears mounted of the French talisman.
But he was seen training individually for the most part of Les Bleus session on Wednesday before taking part in a finishing drill with his fellow forwards.
Mbappe was wearing a strap across his broken nose and did not take part in any parts of training which involved contact.
France are still sourcing a specially made mask for their talisman, who is not expected to take part in Friday night’s clash with the Netherlands.
Manager Didier Deschamps has confirmed that tests will continue to be carried out and that, while surgery was not necessarily immediately after the incident, it will have to happen at some point.
The France boss said: “Even if there is not surgery immediately, he will have to do it after the tournament.
“This morning he was already a little better, so we will see.
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“We will follow it closely every day.”
Despite losing their talisman, there is confidence France can continue – with midfielder Adrien Rabiot backing those lower down the pecking order to step up.
He said: “A fractured nose isn’t the end of the world so he should be with us pretty soon.
“Playing without Kylian could be tough, he is a very important player, the captain.
“It will have an impact on us but for the opponents it will be a different way for them to play their game.
“We definitely want him to play but looking at who we have on the bench we have what it takes to replace Kylian.
“We have to count on the group.
“If he is not there then it is going to be more tough but I trust the great players we have on the team.”
FRANCE are the one nation all England fans are truly afraid of.
They are many punters’ favourites after knocking the Three Lions out of the 2022 World Cup and will be hoping to do much better than at Euro 2020, when they lost to Switzerland in the last 16.
MANAGER: Didier Deschamps
Coming up to 12 years in the job, the only thing missing from his CV is a European Championship.
STAR MAN: Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe’s PSG may have underachieved on the European stage but he remains France’s most deadly threat, with a World Cup trophy and a World Cup final hat-trick to his name.
How France attack
Expect to see France play in a fluid 4-3-3 – which becomes 4-2-3-1 in possession – throughout the tournament.
Giroud acts as the focal point in the attack with the two wide players and Griezmann as No 10 supporting.
How France defend
We can expect to see France defend high with an emphasis on winning back possession as far up the pitch as possible.
France will stagger their defensive shape when the opposition are in possession.
Read the full France Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags.
