MX23RW : Wednesday, August 26 07:20:24| >> :600:777079:777079:
Oct 11, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
Attendance: 12,000
IcelandIceland
0-1
France
FT(HT: 0-0)
Giroud (66' pen.)

Raphael Varane: 'Hugo Lloris a huge loss for France'

Varane: 'Hugo Lloris a huge loss for France'
© Reuters
Captain Hugo Lloris, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe are all injured for the match in Reykjavik.

Didier Deschamps must cope without some of his big-name stars as France look to boost their Euro 2020 qualifying hopes with victory in Iceland on Friday night.

France are without the injured Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe while captain Hugo Lloris is also ruled out for an unspecified period after dislocating his elbow in Tottenham's recent defeat to Brighton.

Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda will replace Lloris in the starting line-up as Deschamps' men search for the win which will take them into Monday's crucial clash with Group H rivals Turkey in good heart.

Defender Raphael Varane acknowledged the importance of the two games and urged his team-mates to shrug off the unfortunate absence of Lloris in particular.

Varane told the French Football Federation website: "These are two very important games and playing in Iceland is never easy because it's a great opportunity for them.

"Our captain will not be there and that will be a loss for us because he is a very important player.

"But we have a lot of important players and we have to show good character in order to qualify for the finals. We need solid matches and we need to play at a good level."

Iceland are also without their captain Aron Einar Gunnarsson due to injury and are desperate to bounce back from a disappointing 4-2 defeat in Albania in their last qualifying match last month.

Coach Erik Hamren told a press conference: "Playing against France will be a very interesting challenge and it will be very complicated, but we have nothing to lose.

"Everyone expects France to win but miracles and surprises exist in football, so why not? Iceland might never have beaten France, but inevitably there must be a first time."

ID:374607:

Click here for more stories about Raphael Varane

Click here for more stories about France

Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Andre Gomes in action for Everton on October 21, 2018
Read Next:
Everton duo Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andre Gomes ruled out of international duty
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Champions League
Europa League
Russian Premier League
Norwegian Eliteserien
Swedish Allsvenskan
Finnish Veikkausliiga
Major League Soccer
Brasileiro
Copa do Brasil
Uruguayan Primera Division
Australian A-League
Chinese Super League
J1 League
Gallagher Premiership
Tables

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!