France national football team 23-player squad for UEFA Nations League matches against Italy and Turkey, Digi Mart USA News: French coach Zinédine Zidane on Friday evening announced a 23-player squad for France’s last two group-stage matches in the UEFA Nations League, against Italy in Milan and Turkey in Bordeaux on November 12 and 15.
Captain Kylian Mbappé, midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni and defender Ibrahima Konaté, who have recovered from injuries, have been recalled, along with forward Marcus Thuram. Paris FC forward Pablo Pagis has been called up for the first time.
France, top of their group with three wins and a draw, need just one more point to qualify for the quarterfinals. Midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery, defender Malo Gusto and goalkeeper Robin Risser have also been recalled after missing the first gathering of the Zidane era, when Risser and Zaïre-Emery withdrew with physical concerns.
Mbappé, France’s all-time leading scorer, returns after being struck on the knee on September 25 in Turkey, a 1-0 win. Since his return to the pitch, he has scored eight goals in seven appearances for Real Madrid.
Zidane will be without several senior players due to injury, including Ousmane Dembélé, William Saliba, Manu Koné, Jules Koundé and Maxence Lacroix, as well as forwards Maghnes Akliouche and Estéban Lepaul.
Zidane was appointed coach of the national team in late July and led his first training session on Monday with twelve internationals, four days before his debut on the bench against Turkey in the Nations League.
