France Prepares for Return to Stade de France
France’s players are expecting an emotional evening when they return to the Stade de France for the first time since the Nov. 13 bombings at the national stadium.
France will continue its warm-up for the European Championship when it plays a friendly against Russia on Tuesday, less than five months after 130 people were killed on a night of attacks in Paris. Suicide bombers blew themselves up that evening outside the stadium during France’s friendly against Germany.
“We are human beings before being sportsmen,” the Arsenal and France striker Olivier Giroud said. “It will obviously affect us to go there.”
The match against Russia will be the first soccer match at Stade de France since the attacks. France has played three Six Nations rugby matches there without problems amid strengthened security.
■ The Brazilian-born goalkeeper Guilherme made history when he went on as a halftime substitute in Russia’s 3-0 friendly victory over Lithuania.
Guilherme, who plays for Lokomotiv Moscow, became the first player born outside Russia to represent the national team when he replaced Stanislav Kritsyuk. Lithuania failed to qualify for Euro 2016. (REUTERS)
■ Santos striker Gabriel and Corinthians defender Felipe were called up to the Brazil squad to replace David Luiz and Neymar, both of whom will serve out suspensions in Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Tuesday.
Gabriel, a 19-year-old wide player who took part in the Olympic team’s 1-0 defeat by Nigeria in a friendly on Thursday, replaces Barcelona striker Neymar, who was cautioned for stamping in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Uruguay in Recife, Brazil. Friday night.
Felipe replaces Paris St.-Germain’s Luiz, who was criticized after Brazil lost a 2-0 lead Friday. (REUTERS)
