Real Madrid Star Tchouaméni Likely Out vs. Morocco. France Has a Yellow Card Problem Now.

France is heading into a World Cup quarterfinal against Morocco on Thursday, and they’re probably going to have to do it without Aurélien Tchouaméni. The Real Madrid midfielder picked up a minor thigh lesion late last week, and assistant manager Guy Stéphane told reporters Monday that Tchouaméni is expected to train away from the group at least until Tuesday. With the game in four days, that timeline is tight.

“We’ll see each day how his injury is healing, if at all,” Stéphan said during a press conference. “With the game coming up on Thursday, we’re a bit pressed for time.”

Here’s where it gets complicated. Tchouaméni’s likely replacement is AS Roma’s Manu Koné, who came on against Paraguay in the round of 16 and picked up a yellow card. If Koné gets booked against Morocco, he’d miss a potential semifinal. That’s not ideal for a French midfield that already looks thin in the middle of a knockout tournament.

The Paraguay game and what it cost

France beat Paraguay 1-0 in the round of 16 — nothing flashy, just enough to get through. But the win came at a cost. Tchouaméni went down late in that match, and the team’s medical staff has been cautious ever since. Stéphan didn’t rule Tchouaméni out completely, but his language was careful enough to suggest the coaching staff is already planning for his absence.

“We’ll see,” Stéphan said. No guarantees.

Morocco rematch, different stakes

This is a rematch of the 2022 World Cup semifinal, where France won 2-0. That game was tight, and Morocco pushed Les Bleus harder than the scoreline suggests. This time it’s in Boston at Gillette Stadium, and the Atlas Lions will be looking for revenge. Without Tchouaméni’s physical presence in midfield, France loses some of its defensive screen. Koné is a capable player, but he’s not the same kind of shield.

The yellow card situation adds another layer. Koné is one booking away from suspension, and France’s potential semifinal opponent (assuming they get past Morocco) would likely be a serious side. Deschamps has to weigh the risk of playing him — or maybe starting someone else entirely.

Live updates will come as the week goes on, but for now, France’s midfield plans look like a puzzle with a couple of missing pieces.