With each training its new information.
That of the France team on Saturday, in Doha, initially brought a great wind of optimism and relief, before finally turning sour.
Back in collective training at the same time as Raphaël Varane, Karim Benzema came out injured.
He will undergo examinations in the evening to establish the seriousness of the injury.
This would not concern the hamstrings which bothered him recently but the quadriceps of the right leg.
Yet another huge blow for Didier and the Blues, three days before their first match against Australia.
It was the first time since the Blues set foot on Qatari soil that they trained in full.
So far, they had left the group after the warm-up to advance in their respective medical protocol.
Absent since November 2, the Ballon d'Or inspired less fear on paper than the defender.
Everything changed this Saturday evening, when the Madrid player was associated with Giroud, Griezmann and Mbappé during the session.
Raphaël Varane was able to finish the session without damage.
Four in front, four behind?
The dreaded absence of KB9, which seems inevitable against Australia, offers a starting place to Olivier Giroud.
But in what system?
After carrying out a first installation on Friday, on Qatari soil, Didier Deschamps repeated the experience this Saturday.
Konaté and Upamecano are for the moment the pair in defense.
But if the Mancunian is finally ready to start, which was the deal if he found the group by Sunday, Ibrahima Konaté (2 selections) is well tipped to slip left axial.
In the corridors, doubts have already been lifted with the return of the formula that worked four years ago, in Russia: on the left Lucas Hernandez and on the right Benjamin Pavard.
In the midfield, we can consider the places of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot as acquired unless something unexpected happens.
On the other hand, it remains to clarify the exact role which will be allocated to Antoine Griezmann.
Since the start of the week, the Atlético Madrid striker has tried his hand at a hybrid register, sometimes number 10, sometimes left torchbearer, suggesting that his positioning could tip the team from 4-3-3 to 4 -2-3-1.
Kylian Mbappé would then be free to occupy the space on the left or enter the axis close to Benzema.
Olivier Giroud, in great shape in recent weeks, was associated with Madrid in training this Saturday.
Finally, in the game of absences, Ousmane Dembélé may have something to play for.
The attacker, by his qualities of dribbling and percussion, has already impressed many partners.
“He's really impressive, you never know if he's going to go left or right.
We must not let it pick up speed, ”confided Youssouf Fofana this Saturday.
Sunday's training, at 5 p.m., will confirm, or not, certain trends.
