Doué and Barcola could start against Belgium as Mbappé injury opens door, Dembélé may rest | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappé’s left knee problem and a possible rest for Ousmane Dembélé could hand Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola their chance against Belgium.

According to Le Progres, at the World Cup they alternated under Didier Deschamps to complement untouchables Michael Olise, Dembélé and Mbappé. In Türkiye, Zidane’s first match began with the same trio, and the pair saw only a late spell together in Izmit.

Doué and Barcola bonded during the United States camp, often together around base and in Boston. Doué, 21, has said both would be ready to play, and that his 24-year-old senior is a rapid winger who has filled in at number nine, while he prefers tight spaces.

Who is ahead in Zinédine Zidane’s mind remains unclear. Doué impressed after replacing Mbappé on Friday, while Barcola’s runs in behind added threat. Since Barcola’s move to Liverpool, they no longer play at PSG, though they retain shared patterns with Dembélé, as seen late on at Stade Turka Kocaeli.

Zidane has not ruled out starting both and has praised their youthful dynamism out wide. The eve-of-match session pointed to Barcola on the left and Doué for Dembélé as a false nine, a role Luis Enrique already introduced to him at PSG. Now it is up to them.

Source: Le Progres

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