France head coach Didier Deschamps is insistent that he will not take risks with Kylian Mbappe as the world champions look ahead to their Nations League clash against Croatia. Mbappe, who scored the winner in France’s unconvincing 1-0 victory over Sweden in their Nations League Group A3 opener on Saturday (September 5), injured his ankle in the game.
The Paris Saint-Germain attacker was substituted in the 77th minute following the injury he sustained in Solna. Deschamps was asked about Mbappe’s fitness as France prepare for Tuesday’s fixture against Croatia – a rematch of the 2018 World Cup final.
“He was better after the game,” Deschamps told reporters.
“He took a bad blow on his sensitive ankle. He kept playing, even if I did not take any risk.
“We will see how he feels tomorrow [Sunday]. The other players too. I don’t want to take any risk. So let’s see how his ankle reacts tomorrow. I’ll talk with him to see if he can play on Tuesday against Croatia.”
Deschamps added: “I did not find him less strong than usual. He is not at his best, clearly, as others, but has this power to score all the time as he did on his action of his goal. There are not many players who can do that.
“He has some lightnings, he is maybe not into consistency but he is a permanent danger for the opponent. He had his injury and he tried everything to be there at the Champions League final eight where he plays the final.
“After that he stopped playing. He needs to be careful at the training sessions, before and after. We were not very worried about his ankle, it’s still not the case. As he said, with time it would be better every day.”
