France manager Didier Deschamps has blamed Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid for overplaying defender Raphael Varane, resulting in the player picking up an injury ahead of the World Cup play-off against Ukraine.
Les Blues take on Ukraine tonight in Kiev with the return match in Paris on Tuesday night, and Varane looks set to miss out on the first game because on an inflamed knee.
Speaking to journalists ahead of the game, Deschamps, who had planned to play Varane with ex-Barcelona defender Eric Abidal in the heart of defence, said the 20-year-old had been overplayed in recent weeks.
He has featured just six times for Los Blancos this season having spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury. And he played the full 90 minutes against Juventus in the Champions League last week, followed by another full game against Real Sociedad – something that Deschamps believes was too much too soon.
“His knee is inflamed and so he’s been taking it easy, we are closely monitoring his situation,” he said. “I think it’s a direct result of playing two games in three days with Real Madrid.”
