France is gearing up for their World Cup semifinal against Spain, with coach Didier Deschamps confirming that Kylian Mbappe is fully available for the match. Deschamps emphasized that France will not simply concede possession to Spain, stating, “Spain can apply a lot of pressure, but we are also a team who need the ball. There will be a battle for control.”

France's Tactical Approach

Spain has made it to the semifinals by dominating possession and pressing their opponents, but Deschamps believes France has the pace to exploit counter-attacking opportunities. He dismissed the notion that his team would adopt a purely defensive strategy, highlighting their versatility in approach. Midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery echoed this sentiment, noting, “Spain have great quality on the ball. We have the qualities to attack quickly on the counter, to keep possession ourselves and to defend well.” He acknowledged that the flow of the game would ultimately dictate their tactics.

Tchouameni's Return

France's midfield options have been bolstered by the return of Aurelien Tchouameni, who has been sidelined due to a hamstring issue. Tchouameni last played in the round of 32 against Sweden and missed the subsequent knockout matches. Deschamps confirmed that while Tchouameni is not fully recovered, he is available for selection. “For the last match, the risk was too high,” Deschamps explained. “He is better today, although we cannot say he is 100% recovered.” His inclusion would provide France with a strong holding midfielder to help manage Spain’s attacking pressure.

Despite a minor ankle injury sustained during the quarterfinal against Morocco, Kylian Mbappe participated in training, albeit with some limitations. Deschamps reassured fans, saying, “Kylian is fine,” and confirmed that he had trained, albeit for a shorter duration. With both Mbappe and Tchouameni available, France is poised to face Spain in what promises to be a competitive semifinal.