Zidane reshapes France attack for Italy test as Nations League qualification looms

France are expected to face Italy without captain Kylian Mbappe when they meet at San Siro in Milan on Thursday, with Desire Doue set to lead the attack in a Nations League Group A1 fixture.

The French are top of the group with 10 points from four matches and will secure a place in the quarter-finals by avoiding defeat. Victory would also guarantee that they finish first, while they could still progress with a loss if Belgium fail to beat Turkey.

RMC Sport reports that Doue is likely to start as the central striker, supported by Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise. Rayan Cherki is expected to operate behind them in the creative role.

The anticipated France line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan.

Defenders: Adrien Truffert, either Jeremy Jacquet or Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, Malo Gusto.

Midfielders: Adrien Rabiot, Lucas Da Cunha, Rayan Cherki.

Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Desire Doue, Michael Olise.

Mbappe’s absence was confirmed after France manager Zinedine Zidane said the forward was not ready to play. Zidane explained that Mbappe had felt slight muscular pain and that the coaching staff did not want to risk aggravating the problem.

The manager said he hoped Mbappe would recover in time for Sunday’s match against Turkey.

The Real Madrid forward will therefore miss another France fixture after sitting out the team’s previous three matches. He suffered a left knee injury during the meeting with Turkey on 25 September.

France’s injury problems extend beyond their captain. Aurelien Tchouameni, Marcus Thuram and Pierre Kalulu are also unavailable, while Ousmane Dembele, William Saliba and Jules Kounde are among the other players missing.

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Senny Mayulu was promoted to the senior squad to replace Tchouameni, having originally been due to join the youth team. Ely Junior Kroupi was called up in place of Thuram, while Sael Kumbedi replaced Kalulu.

Italy are second in Group A1 on seven points, followed by Belgium on six. Turkey are bottom without a point. France and Italy drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture at Stade de France, with Olise putting the hosts ahead before Alessandro Bastoni equalised.

Italy’s most recent victory over France came on 6 September 2024, when they won 3-1 at the Parc des Princes in Paris in both teams’ opening Nations League match.