skip Australia, there are fears for the whole World Cup – Corriere.it

World Cup at risk for Karim Benzema, at least for the opening match against Australia, scheduled for Tuesday 22 November (Olivier Giroud should start). The Ballon d’Or player, back from a muscle injury (as well as his compatriot Varane), only resumed training together with his national team mates today, but returned to the locker room early due to a new muscle problem.

The attacker accused a severe muscle pain in the quadriceps of the left thigh, in a different area from the problem that has been gripping him for about a month (he hasn’t played 90 minutes since 19 October).

The outcome is now awaited MRI to understand the extent of the damage: the fear that the injury may be more serious than expected e jeopardize the attacker’s participation in the tournament.

Didier Deschamps has until Monday, the eve of the world champions’ entry into the competition, to name a possible replacement. France have already had to give up, in midfield, Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kant, in goal – but he was the reserve – Mike Maignan, in defense Presnel Kimpemb and, in attack, the Bundesliga top scorer Christopher Nkunku who probably has ended his season with a ruptured crusader.