Didier Deschamps has concerns over the fitness of defensive duo Lucas Digne and Lucas Hernandez as France get ready to play in a new competition at Euro 2020.
France finished top of Group F thanks to a 2-2 draw against fellow qualifiers Portugal on Wednesday, with second-placed Germany also making it through to the last 16.
Reigning world champions France saw Karim Benzema score twice – his first goals at international level since October 8, 2015 – but had to finish the game in Budapest with midfielder Adrien Rabiot playing at left-back.
Deschamps substituted Hernandez at half-time due to what he described as a minor knee issue, though the Bayern Munich player had also received a yellow card in the 36th minute.
Replacement Digne did not last long and, as the France head coach revealed in his post-match news conference, the Everton player could now be ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.
Asked to provide an update on both players, Deschamps told the media: The most worrying is Lucas Digne.
He has a muscle injury, he felt a pull behind his thigh. It will be very complicated [for the rest of Euro 2020].
Lucas Hernandez also had a small problem, his knee reacted a bit. I didn t want to take any risks. Unfortunately in the same game, I lost both. We ll see for Hernandez in the next few days.
Deschamps utilised Jules Kounde at right-back in a 4-2-3-1 system, though made clear it is by no means certain he will stick with the formation for their next game, which sees France take on Switzerland in the round of 16.
It seemed to me to be better disposed on an individual and collective level, but it will not always be that for the future, he said on his tactical approach. It can be, but it is not a firm and definitive position today.
France finished with five points from their three games. They are unbeaten in each of their last 12 group-stage outings at major international tournaments, winning seven and drawing five.
Other teams were able to give a better impression than ours, Deschamps said after engineering a path out of a tough group.
But a new competition will begin. Winning against Germany was very important for us. Having taken a point in a particular context against Hungary, it gave us the qualification before this match.
As I told the players, there was no math to do except at the end. We did not do everything well, but the state of mind was there, we can still improve things. I am very satisfied to be there once again.
