Euro-2024: the Blues worried about Mbappé, Portugal and Ronaldo close the ball

After the victory of the Blues against Austria on Monday evening (1-0) at the cost of the injury of their captain and superstar Kylian Mbapp, who fractured his ankle. nose but will not have to be operated on, Portugal is the last of the favorites for Euro-2024 à enter the running, Tuesday à Leipzig face &agrav; the discreet Czech Republic (9 p.m.).

It is still too early to estimate the unavailability of the French striker but he will not undergo surgery, reassuring information as the images filmed on the pitch of the Düsseldorf stadium were impressive.

“It will do it, no operation”, announced at the very end of the evening the president of the French Football Federation (FFF), Philippe Diallo, present in Düsseldorf.

France team captain Kylian Mbappe (in white) in a nose-to-shoulder collision with Austrian defender Kevin Danso, during Les Bleus' 1-0 victory in their Euro-2024 match, Monday June 17 in the Dusseldorf Arena in Dusseldorf © AFP – KENZO TRIBOUILLARD

The captain of Les Bleus, with a bloody nose, had to leave his teammates in the 86th minute after a violent collision with Austrian defender Kevin Danso. “I can't give any specific information, because I don't have any,” Didier Deschamps said at a press conference, adding that his captain was “in the hands of the medical staff.”

The uncertainty that now hangs over the world vice-champions' No. 1 asset is of course bad news for the coach of Les Bleus, who saw his troops suffer particularly hard in overcoming the Austrians.

Their next match is scheduled for Friday (9:00 p.m.) against the Netherlands, who also won their first meeting in Group D.

The Blues will conclude their group stage on June 25 against Poland.

– Cristiano Ronaldo enters the track –

The four nations of Group F enter the fray this Tuesday, and Portugal is under pressure: all the other favorites for final victory – England, Spain and Germany in addition to France – have won their first match of the competition. Any result other than a victory against the Czechs would spark disappointment and questions for Roberto Martinez's men.

First because Portugal has won all of its matches since September 2023 except two, against Croatia and Slovenia. After a disappointing 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Cristiano Ronaldo has rediscovered his rage to win, thanks to the confidence of Martinez.

Portugal team captain Cristiano Ronaldo takes part in a training session at the team's base camp in Harsewinkel, western Germany, June 16, 2024, during Euro-2024 © AFP – PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA

At 39, “CR7” scored 10 goals in the Euro qualifiers – a more convincing performance indicator than his fifty goals in the weak Saudi championship.

“I'm happy to play a sixth Euro and I want to make the most of it, by playing well, giving everything I have and ensuring that the team can win” , declared the five-time Ballon d'Or winner of Euro-2016 in France.

The Czech Republic has all the appearances of the ideal victim. But beware: Patrik Schick, revelation of the previous Euro and member of this season's fantastic Leverkusen, leads a united, coherent and lively team, many of whose young players have played at Europa League level with Sparta or Slavia Prague.< /p>

Georgia's French coach Willy Sagnol attends a training session as part of Euro-2024 at Stadion Velbert in Velbert, western Germany, June 17, 2024 © AFP – INA FASSBENDER

In the same group F, where second place should be hotly contested, Georgia led by the French Willy Sagnol, made a hero in Tbilisi for having qualified the selection for its first Euro, will come up against the Turkey by Arda Güler and Yusuf Yazici. It has two serious offensive assets in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and George Mikautadze.

These two meetings close a rather fruitful first day of the Euro in terms of goals, without any 0-0, and with three cards: Germany against Scotland 5-1, Spain against Croatia 3-0 and Romania against Ukraine 3-0.

Only real surprise, Belgium's defeat against Slovakia on Monday (1-0), even if the Red Devils are not considered favorites this time .

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