FRANCE PLAYERS RAPHAEL Varane, Ibrahima Konate and Kingsley Coman sat out training today with cold-like symptoms two days before the World Cup final against Argentina, a source close to the team said.
Coman, the Bayern Munich winger, had already been forced to miss a training session on Thursday because of a “light viral syndrome”, the French Football Federation (FFF) said.
Coman was an unused substitute in the 2-0 win against Morocco in Wednesday’s semi-final.
The condition of Varane and Konate will cause France coach Didier Deschamps more concern as they formed the central defensive partnership against Morocco.
Konate had replaced Dayot Upamecano in defence for the semi-final after he was ruled out by illness.
Adrien Rabiot, who has played a key role in France’s midfield in Qatar, was also sidelined with illness for the semi-final.
France forward Randal Kolo Muani said in a press conference on Friday: “There is little bit of flu going around but nothing serious.”
Earlier this week, Deschamps suggested frigid air conditioning might be to blame for the illnesses in the French squad.
“The air conditioning is on all the time and so we have had a few cases of flu-like symptoms but we will try to avoid it spreading,” Deschamps said.
“The players put in so much effort on the pitch and so their immune systems suffer. Your body is weakened and you are more prone to getting infected.”
France are aiming to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil achieved the feat in 1962 as Argentina captain Messi looks to crown his glorious career with the one major title that has eluded him.
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