France coach Didier Deschamps has explained the decision to leave Kylian Mbappe on the bench against the Netherlands.
There were reports claiming the new Real Madrid signing was set to wear a mask in Friday's game after suffering a broken nose.
However, Mbappe was named on the bench but played no part of the match as he frustratedly watched on from the sidelines.
Read: Dutch France Goalless After Controversial VAR Call
"If it had been a decisive game I may have thought twice about him playing or not," Deschamps said after the game, as per BBC.
"But it is important for me to think about how he is feeling, he has a bruise, he has to wear a mask and that may change his vision too.
"There is also the risk we would be taking and with each day passing we are getting to the point where he is better as well.
"I felt the wiser decision was to keep him on the bench."
Deschamps insists he is concerned about his side failing to score wthhout Mbappe on the pitch.
"I am not concerned," he added.
"It is just the name of the game. Sometimes you have countless chances and don't hit the back of the net and sometimes it is the other way round.
"I would be worried if there were not any chances. Efficiency at high-level football is important and it is something we can work on."
For all your exclusive football content and breaking news, join our WhatsApp Channel here.
