Not concerned: Dembele has shrugged off virus worries as France gear up for World Cup final
(Picture: Getty Images,)Ousmane Dembele says France’s players are not afraid that the virus running through their camp will cost them a shot a World Cup glory on Sunday.
Didier Deschamps’ side are looking to become only the second country to defend the World Cup as they build towards this weekend’s meeting with Lionel Messi and Argentina in Lusail.
However, Les Blues’ preparations have been complicated by the illness, which saw midfielder Adrien Rabiot and defender Dayot Upamecano miss the semi-final victory over Morocco on Wednesday.
On Friday, centre-backs Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate both sat out training with what the French Football Federation described as a cold.
"We’re not scared of that virus,” winger Dembele said. “Dayot and Adrien got a bit of a stomach ache, I made them a ginger and honey tea and then they felt better. I hope everyone will be ready for the final.
"Dayot got better and I think everyone will be ready. We’ve been taking precautions. The first day, Dayot stayed in his room and we brought him food and he was back with everyone the next day.”
Forward Randal Kolo Muani, who came off the bench to score the clincher in the 2-0 win over the Moroccans, said his teammates are being “very strict” in order to stop the bug spreading further.
"Those who are sick stay in their room, they’re being taken care of by the doctors and we’ve been enforcing social distancing. We’re very strict about it," he said.
As well as those missing through illness, Aurelien Tchouameni and Theo Hernandez did not take part in Friday’s main training session, instead working inside due to hip and knee knocks, respectively.
