Mönchengladbach midfielder Manu Koné will captain the French under-23 team for the friendly preparation match for the Olympic Games against the United States on Monday (9:05 p.m.) in Sochaux, coach Thierry Henry announced on Sunday.
Already a starter during the U23 victory against Côte d’Ivoire (3-2) on Friday in Châteauroux, Koné is one of the six players born in 2001 recalled by Henry for the only Bleuets gathering before the start of preparation for the Paris Games. He replaces goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier in the role of captain, replacing Monday.
In the goals, the young Guillaume Restes, 19 years old, holder of the position in Toulouse, should logically play the match against the United States, a way for Henry to carry out the squad review announced at the start of the gathering and to preserve Chevalier before the Northern derby in Ligue 1 between Lille, his club and Lens, scheduled for Friday (9:00 p.m.).
The coach was not spared from the withdrawals, injuries and a virus which affected his players.
First it was Georginio Rutter (Leeds) and Joris Chotard (Montpellier), injured at club level, who had to withdraw before the start of the rally. These packages benefited Rayan Cherki, not initially called up, but recalled later by Henry and decisive against Ivory Coast on Friday.
Then Chelsea defender Malo Gusto, ill, left his partners the day before the match against the Ivorians.
During the match, PSG winger Bradley Barcola injured the back of his left thigh. Replaced before the half-hour mark, he suffered from a hamstring injury and is expected to be unavailable for at least two weeks. His presence for the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Barcelona on April 10 is therefore still uncertain.
Finally, Leny Yoro (Lille) on Saturday evening and Enzo Millot (Stuttgart) on Sunday morning also fell ill (flu), raising fears of two new withdrawals in the group which therefore trained on the lawn of the Bonal stadium at 18, instead of of 23, late in the afternoon.
France will begin its Olympic tournament against the United States, their opponents this Monday, July 24 in Marseille.
