Netherlands v France LIVE: Kylian Mbappe injury latest ahead of Euro 2024 clash

There are two Euro 2024 games today before we play ball in Leipzig and the first of those is now underway. Slovakia face Ukraine in an intriguing Group E encounter and you can follow along with our blog

Finally, Deschamps does have the option to flick the actual formation of his team, with a couple of systems previously utilised including a three-man midfield and playing a diamond, with two split forwards in attack.

Should he wish to do so, Adrien Rabiot would be the natural options to shift to the left channel, with N’Golo Kante rampaging around breaking up play in the opposite channel. Behind them, that might see Eduardo Camavinga come into the side as an extra defensive shield against the talented Dutch attack.

It feels less likely that Deschamps will make such radical alterations to his team just to overcome one player’s absence, even such a key one as Mbappe, but there’s always the possibility for it as an in-game switch too.

What’s for sure is that no replacement can have the French star’s overall impact across a number of matches – but on a one-off basis for now, they certainly have the options to ensure he’s not missed too much, too soon.

We mentioned Thuram earlier as the central starter for France, and while that’s the role he now plays for Inter Milan, in both the Bundesliga and with the national team prior to the last 12 months he was a regular starter from the left himself.

The third option for Deschamps, then, is to push Thuram back out there to replace Mbappe’s driving runs and desire to get into goalscoring positions directly, and then for the vacant No9 spot, bring his most experienced campaigner into the side: Olivier Giroud.

The veteran striker has a good relationship with Antoine Griezmann who plays in behind, has 57 international goals to his name and is well-versed in battling away against established international defenders – which might be handy considering France’s next game is against Netherlands, including Virgil van Dijk.

It feels this might be the option Deschamps considers most strongly, given the aforementioned resistance to gambling, especially this early in the tournament.

If Coman’s fitness isn’t there yet for 90 minutes or Deschamps wants a little more build-up play involvement from his left-sided outlet, there is another choice: play Bradley Barcola.

The PSG youngster has had a brilliant breakout season and while he only has two senior caps to Coman’s 56, he looks to have all the tools to be a key part of the French side for years to come.

Wickedly tricky in possession, much more inclined to go for goal than Coman and a more imposing frame on him too, he would be a wildcard pick for a boss who is still seen as somewhat conservative at times.

Randal Kolo Muani can also play left flank, but seems to be used more as a striker late on in games for France and hasn’t had such a good season at club level.

In a more-or-less like for like switch, Kingsley Coman looks the obvious alternative from the opening game’s bench.

The Bayern Munich winger has suffered terribly with injuries but like Mbappe is a fleet-footed ball carrier who is a huge threat on the break, can beat his man one on one and is happy to stretch play by running in behind or hugging the wide areas of the pitch.

Where he cannot match his captain is in goal returns; he’s more of a creator than a scorer – though did net a Champions League final winner, to be fair – and he also doesn’t have the consistency in actually taking shots.

Coman would be very much a wide option rather than a wide forward, but the likes of starting striker Marcus Thuram probably wouldn’t mind that, given it might see more chances aimed his way.

Here’s the Kylian Mbappe injury that has everyone talking. He broke his nose against Austria in France’s Euro 2024 opener

France will certainly be troubled by the speed of the Dutch attack but they also have the depth in their own attack to keep going forward, again and again. Eventually, they find a way. Netherlands 2-3 France.

France’s big concern is of course Mbappe and there’s no confirmation of how long he’ll be out for as yet, though it looks improbable he’ll be featuring against the Dutch.

The options for Deschamps are varied, but he could either bring in another of several pacey wide men, or push Marcus Thuram wide and start Olivier Giroud up front.

France predicted XI: Maignan, Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, T Hernandez, Kante, Rabiot, Dembele, Griezmann, Thuram, Giroud

Brian Brobbey is the only Dutch player likely to miss out but even he could end up being an option from the bench for Ronald Koeman.

The head coach may not make many changes from his opening game lineup, though Gini Wijnaldum may have done enough from the bench to give them control they’ll require against France.

Netherlands predicted XI: Verbruggen, Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake, Wijnaldum, Veerman, Simons, Reijnders, Gakpo, Depay

The match is set for kick-off at 8pm BST on Friday 21 June at the Leipzig Stadium.

This match will be broadcast live on BBC One and streamed on the iPlayer and BBC Sport website. You can find a full list of which channel is showing each match here.

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