the Blues in their bubble at Clairefontaine, despite the context of the match

It is a match under high security which will take place Thursday evening at the Stade de France, despite the call from rebellious deputies to postpone this meeting. Head of State Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Michel Barnier and former President Nicolas Sarkozy will be present at the match. While the Israel team lives cloistered in its hotel, protected by an imposing security system, the France team is trying to prepare for this meeting with complete peace of mind despite the context.

“We will try to act as if it’s a normal match”

The French team is preparing in its bubble in Clairefontaine. The Blues trained behind closed doors on Tuesday on one of their fields, in the middle of the Rambouillet forest. Bayern Munich striker Kinsley Coman, absent since Euro 2024, returned to compensate for the absence of Ousmane Dembélé. World champion Benjamin Pavard, who did not play a single minute during the European competition in Germany, is also present.

Like a month ago in Budapest, the French will face Israel in a very special atmosphere, in an ultra-secure Stade de France which risks ringing hollow. Didier Deschamps’ men will try to ignore this burning context, explained Tuesday morning at a press conference Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, called up for the first time in Blue. “We’re going to try to pretend it’s a normal match, but deep down, it’s not really. We obviously have compassion for what’s happening in the Middle East, we’re going to try to do the best we can,” he assured.

Only 20,000 supporters expected Thursday evening

In total, only 20,000 supporters are expected in the stands on Thursday evening. It must be said that this match is classified as very high risk by the Ministry of the Interior. That many fans prefer to stay in front of their TV this time rather than going to the stadium is logical, assures French defender Dayot Upamecano. “I can understand why people don’t want to come, it’s their choice. We will continue to fight on the pitch and win this match,” he said.

Didier Deschamps’ men will train this Wednesday at the Stade de France like the Israelis, who will be escorted by the police to the Saint-Denis grounds for closed-door training, open for 15 minutes to accredited media.

Kylian Mbappé passing through Paris

Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé, absent from this gathering, took the opportunity to come to Paris at the start of the week. The Madrilenian posted some photos on Instagram. The 25-year-old star found his former PSG teammates Achraf Hakimi and Arnau Tenas with whom he notably played a game of padel and played video games.