Dembele and Barcola ruled out with injuries
France’s chances of a strong finish in the UEFA Nations League have taken a hit with the news that two of its key forwards, Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola, will miss the third-place match against Germany on Saturday.
Both players, who had a historic season with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), were injured in Thursday’s 5-4 loss to Spain, and subsequent medical examinations revealed the extent of their injuries.
Dembele, who was substituted late in the match, has been diagnosed with a lesion, while Barcola is struggling with a knee injury.
The French Football Federation has confirmed that neither player will be replaced, leaving France’s attack looking a little depleted ahead of the crucial match. The pair’s absence will be felt, given their significant contributions to PSG’s success this season, including the club’s maiden UEFA Champions League title.
The third-place match against Germany will be played at the Neckarstadion in Stuttgart, with France looking to bounce back from its semi-final defeat to Spain.
Despite the setback, France will be determined to secure a strong finish in the tournament and make up for the loss. The final, between Portugal and Spain, will take place on Sunday at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
