Maëlle Lakrar a doubt for France as workload said to be telling | OneFootball

Maëlle Lakrar is a doubt to start for France against the Netherlands on Saturday at 21:10 after a quadriceps knock in Tuesday’s 1-2 defeat in Breda.

According to L'Équipe, head coach Laurent Bonadei said Lakrar and Anaële Le Moguédec would attempt Friday’s session, with decisions left until the final workout because he needs players at 100%.

Lakrar, 25, trained with black strapping on her left thigh, while Le Moguédec and Alice Sombath wore substantial bandages on their right knees. Bonadei does not plan to overhaul his XI but expects a few tweaks for freshness, and a change at centre-back is possible.

Her dip dates back to last June’s 2-3 friendly loss to Brazil before the Euros. Bonadei linked it to a heavy workload after moving from Montpellier to Real Madrid two years ago, noting 58 matches last season, a missed June camp for the Iceland game through fatigue, and year-long tibial periostitis that does not stop her playing but can keep her below full capacity.

He believes this summer’s longer break, with no major tournament, should help her recover, even if she has featured less at club level this season. He still regards her as a high-quality defender he trusts. She completed Friday’s session, observed by AJA coach Christophe Pelissier, but was managed in opposed drills and alternated with Le Moguédec.

Bonadei has alternatives in Sombath and Thiniba Samoura, who showed during the Euros they could step in, and Elisa De Almeida, who plays centrally for her club. Lakrar said last month at Clairefontaine that daily competition lifts standards and she welcomes it. France need a win over the Netherlands to reclaim top spot, the only place guaranteeing a direct World Cup berth in Brazil.

Source: L'Équipe