France heads into their World Cup quarterfinal on Friday as a significant favorite over Uruguay, who could have to play without one of their star players in the critical match.
Striker Edinson Cavani is training with his Uruguayan teammates, but there are doubts that he will be able to play against France after suffering a leg injury in the previous round.
Uruguay Hero Cavani Unlikely to Play
Cavani was the hero for Uruguay in their round of 16 clash with Portugal, picking up both goals in the 2-1 victory. But he suffered a calf injury later in the match, and reports have suggested that he will certainly not be able to start the game, and may not even be available off the bench.
The Uruguay camp has been careful not to release too much information on Cavani’s availability, though they did release a statement on Monday.
“The player remains in pain,” Uruguay’s football federation announced in a statement on Monday. “He will continue to do individual work and rehabilitation.”
French manager Didier Deschamps said that the uncertainty over the injury isn’t changing how his team is practicing ahead of the match.
“I’m preparing my team as if Cavani was playing,” Deschamps told reporters. “If he is not there, it’s not going to change Uruguay’s style. Cavani’s quality is obviously higher than that of lots of other strikers…but I prepare my team for different possibilities.”
Cavani is hardly the only attacking option for Uruguay, which also features Luis Suarez prominently up front. But if the Uruguayans lose one of their top scorers, it will only underscore the differences between the two sides.
France Expects Fewer Fireworks
France has shown brilliance at times throughout the tournament, combining technical ability with attacking flair. That came to a head in their 4-3 victory over Argentina in the first knockout round, as 19-year-old star Kylian Mbappe collected two goals, becoming only the second teenager ever to score twice in a World Cup match.
“What he did against Argentina was very good,” Deschamps said of Mbappe’s performance. “It put a spotlight on him obviously, and to play like that in such an important match made a name for him.”
But France isn’t expecting to be able to play the same way against Uruguay, a team that has only allowed a single goal so far in the tournament.
“It’s a team with a very different profile to Argentina, extremely well-organized in defense and then very dangerous on the counter attacks,” Deschamps told reporters. “We’ll have to be really patient.”
But with one of the most talented squads remaining in the World Cup, France should have the advantage even if the style of their opponent doesn’t suit them. William Hill has made France a 2/5 favorite to advance to the semifinal, and an even money pick to win in the initial 90 minutes.
Whichever side comes out on top will move on to play the winner of Friday’s other quarterfinal between Brazil and Belgium. Brazil is currently the 11/4 favorite to win the World Cup, though France (7/2) is the joint second choice with England. Uruguay is considered a relative longshot at 14/1.