France hoping injured players will be back for Portugal game

Les Bleus were without Kylian Mbappe, Presnel Kimpembe, Kingsley Coman, Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez in a 2-0 friendly home defeat to Finland on Wednesday.

“It’s going in the right direction,” Deschamps was quoted as saying by French sports daily L’Equipe on Thursday after Finland ended their 12-match unbeaten streak.

Deschamps added, however, that he was “not sure of anything” concerning Mbappe and Pavard, who were out of the Finland game with a thigh problem and an ankle injury, respectively.

France, with 10 points from four games, trail Group 3 leaders Portugal on goal difference.

They will then face bottom side Sweden, who have lost all of their four games, at the Stade de France on Tuesday.