A Nations League quarter-final place is within touching distance, but Les Bleus will have to chase it in Milan without their captain and most dangerous forward.
Kylian Mbappe will miss Thursday’s clash with Italy after feeling pain in his hamstring and sitting out Wednesday’s training session. Zinedine Zidane confirmed the news at his pre-match press conference.
Zidane Takes No Risks With Kylian Mbappe
The France coach played down the problem, calling it a minor issue and nothing more than a little discomfort. He stressed that the staff would not take any risk with the Real Madrid forward. The season is long, he explained, and protecting a key player now matters more than a single result.
Zidane admitted the setback was regrettable but described it as part of the game. Kylian Mbappe stays with the squad, and his coach hopes he will be ready for Sunday’s final group game against Turkey in Bordeaux.
A Thinner Attack for a Decisive Night
The timing hurts. Marcus Thuram had already withdrawn with a hamstring problem, opening the door for a first call-up for Eli Junior Kroupi. Aurelien Tchouameni is also missing after picking up an injury earlier in the week.
France top Group A1 with three wins and a draw from their four games. A victory in Milan would be enough to book a spot in the Nations League quarter-finals.
Real Madrid will be watching closely as well. Mbappe has already scored 17 goals for the club this season, and the Spanish giants have no appetite for a lingering problem before a busy run of fixtures.
For now, the big question is who steps up. Without Mbappe and Thuram in the line-up, Zidane must find goals elsewhere on a night that could settle the group, and a strong display would make Sunday in Bordeaux a celebration rather than a scramble.
