(Doha) Defender and reigning world champion Lucas Hernandez, who injured his knee on Tuesday against Australia, is forced to withdraw from the rest of the World Cup, AFP has learned from sources close to the Doha team. France.
Affected in the cruciate ligaments of the right knee, according to one of the sources, the 26-year-old Bayern Munich player cannot be replaced in the group of Didier Deschamps, coach of the Blues who will have to play the rest of the World Cup with a group of twenty-four players.
Holder of the left-back position in the first match won against the “Socceroos” (4-1), Lucas Hernandez injured his right knee on his own while trying to counter a ball and had to be replaced by his younger brother Theo from the start. 13e minute.
PHOTO CHANDAN KHANNA, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Lucas Hernández
The 2018 world champion with the Blues injured his adductors on September 13 and returned to competition on November 5.
“We are waiting for additional examinations even if I think that it will unfortunately be quite serious”, had lamented Didier Deschamps.
In his group, the coach does not have other left backs than Théo, a 25-year-old player with a more attacking profile than his elder.
“I will find other solutions compared to Lucas,” said Deschamps at a press conference. “If we want to be quiet in all positions, we should take 33 players! Theo is there, then there will be other alternatives. »
PHOTO FRANK AUGSTEIN, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lucas Hernandez (center)
The France team has been hit by a cascade of injuries since the start of the season: midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté, goalkeeper N.2 Mike Maignan, defender Presnel Kimpembe, striker Christopher Nkunku and the Ballon d’Or. ‘Or Karim Benzema, injured last Saturday in training.
“Honestly, it’s starting to do a lot,” pestered captain Hugo Lloris to the media after the match. “You immediately feel that there is something serious. It’s a new blow, but we have to keep moving forward, look ahead. It must weld us even more. »