Aurélien Tchouaméni ruled out of France’s Spain semi-final injury risk

Aurélien Tchouaméni is back in France’s starting XI for the Euro 2024 semi-final against Spain after Didier Deschamps confirmed the midfielder’s fitness doubts were overblown.

What happened?

On 9 July, Didier Deschamps, the France manager, revealed that Aurélien Tchouaméni had been cleared to face Spain despite lingering injury fears. The 24-year-old had been a late doubt after sitting out part of France’s pre-match training, but Deschamps insisted he was now available. Kylian Mbappé, France’s captain, also recovered from his own ankle issue to start alongside Tchouaméni in a full-strength squad.

Why it matters for Aurélien Tchouaméni

Tchouaméni’s presence stabilizes France’s midfield as they push for a Euro 2024 final. His recovery means Deschamps can field his strongest XI against Spain, avoiding a repeat of the Morocco quarter-final where he was an unused substitute. The midfielder’s return also lifts pressure on Manu Kone, who carried a knock of his own from the same match.

Deschamps played down concerns over shortened training drills, telling reporters: “He has the right, like others, to go 15 minutes instead of 20 on a drill.” The coach added that Tchouaméni was “better today” but stopped short of calling him fully fit, saying: “I’m not going to say he has been 100 per cent cured.”

What comes next?

France face Spain in the semi-final on 9 July, with Tchouaméni expected to anchor the midfield. His inclusion signals Deschamps’ confidence in his recovery, even as the risk of a setback remains. The match kicks off at 21:00 CET in Berlin, with a place in the final on the line.

Kone, who started the Morocco game, remains a doubt, leaving Tchouaméni as the likely replacement. The midfielder’s fitness will be scrutinized after he was subbed off late in the quarter-final win over Morocco on 6 July.