France defender Upamecano exits Nations League camp for personal reasons

Dayot Upamecano has left the France camp with permission from manager Zinedine Zidane after Thursday’s 3-1 defeat by Italy in the Nations League.

The 28-year-old Bayern Munich defender has returned to Munich, where he plays his club football, according to RMC Sport.

The French Football Federation has not announced a replacement for Upamecano, with France due to face Turkey on Sunday in their final Group A match.

France’s defeat at San Siro was their first of the current Nations League campaign. The result left them second in Group A of League A on 10 points, while Italy moved top on head-to-head record.

Upamecano started against Italy and played the full match at right-sided centre-back alongside Jeremy Jacquet. He conceded the penalty from which Pio Esposito scored Italy’s third goal in the 75th minute, extending the hosts’ advantage.

The Bayern Munich defender also experienced difficulties in his individual duels and when France attempted to build play from the back. Those errors have led to questions over whether his departure could also be linked to a footballing decision, although the stated reason for his release is personal.

His absence adds to a lengthy list of players unavailable to France during this international break. Ousmane Dembele, Maghnes Akliouche, Pierre Kalulu and Marcus Thuram are also missing.

Kylian Mbappe did not play against Italy because of physical discomfort, but the France captain is expected to return against Turkey.

“I hope he will be ready for Sunday,” Zidane said after the Italy match. “In any case, that was the plan: for him to rest today because he had a slight discomfort, and then have the possibility of playing on Sunday. That is what we want.”

France have two defensive options

Zidane has two alternatives to replace Upamecano against Turkey, with Ibrahima Konate and Leny Yoro the other defenders in France’s 23-man squad. Jacquet is also available.

Since Zidane took charge of France, Upamecano started the opening match against Turkey, which France won 1-0. He was then left on the bench for the following 1-0 victory over Belgium.

The Bayern defender returned to the starting line-up against Italy in a match that finished 1-1, but was sent off after receiving two yellow cards. He subsequently missed the next game against Belgium through suspension.

Upamecano has won 49 caps for France and scored two goals.