Ibrahima Konate has been handed a huge opportunity after being picked to start for France in their World Cup semi-final against Morocco tonight.
The Liverpool defender has been drafted in by Didier Deschamps to start alongside Raphael Varane at the Al Bayt Stadium, with Les Bleus looking to progress into Sunday's final and become just the third country to win successive World Cups. The current world champions are clear favourites for tonight's game but have seen their preparations hit by sickness within their camp.
According to L’Equipe, French pair Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano were not involved in Tuesday's session as they trained alone and battled their respective issues. Bayern Munich defender Upamecano is said to be suffering with a sore throat, and his absence from preparations so close to their semi-final has handed Konate a massive chance to stake his claim for the spot.
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Konate started France's opening 4-1 win against Australia and their shock defeat to Tunisia, playing alongside both former RB Leipzig teammate Upamecano and Varane. But with all three fit and in-form, Deschamps had decided to drop the Reds defender for knockout games against Poland and England.
The 24-year-old was seemingly consigned to a place on the substitutes bench for the latter stages of the tournament, but an unfortunate turn of events for the squad has handed him a huge chance to stake his claim for a place in the final. Konate only made his France senior debut back in June when filling in for the injured Varane during the post-season Nations League matches - he had just three caps to his name before the World Cup.
Konate's inclusion in France's squad will no doubt have been influenced by his effect on Liverpool's domestic form. The young defender missed much of the opening few months after sustaining a knee injury during the final pre-season friendly against Strasbourg. After a brief return to play in October which ended in a minor setback, his return to regular football at the start of November coincided with Jurgen Klopp's side winning consecutive games against Napoli and Tottenham Hotspur.
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