Mbappe return could define Zidane’s early France reign

Zinedine Zidane’s first major test as France manager has arrived sooner than expected, with Sunday’s Nations League meeting with Turkey carrying serious consequences after a 3-1 defeat by Italy at San Siro.

France must take all three points to secure a place in the quarter-finals, while the fitness of captain Kylian Mbappe remains uncertain. Zidane must now decide whether to call on his leading forward or avoid risking a recurrence of his hamstring problem.

The loss to Italy was Zidane’s first major setback since taking charge. France had taken the lead through a fine first-half goal from Michael Olise, but were unable to prevent Italy from turning the match around. Mbappe’s absence from the attack was particularly noticeable.

The forward has been troubled by a minor hamstring injury, although the French Football Federation has not provided a detailed medical explanation or indicated when he will be fully fit, according to Spanish newspaper AS.

Mbappe travelled with the squad to Italy but was ruled out by Zidane on the eve of the match. He had also missed four successive games because of injury and was forced to leave France’s training camp during the first international break of Zidane’s tenure after suffering a fitness issue while scoring the opening goal against Turkey.

He did not take part in full team training at Clairefontaine on Wednesday, before the federation confirmed he would not be available against Italy. The repeated problems have raised concerns over whether he has fully recovered and whether an early return could lead to another setback.

Zidane hopeful over captain

Zidane suggested after the defeat that Mbappe could be available for the match in Bordeaux, pointing to the decision to keep him with the squad as evidence that the injury was not considered serious.

“I hope so. That is why he stayed with the team. I don’t think his injury is serious. We will see him tomorrow when we are in Bordeaux, and the aim is for him to play,” Zidane said.

The comments indicate that France are attempting to prepare Mbappe for Sunday, but his presence in the squad does not guarantee he will be able to complete the match. The final decision is expected to depend on the medical assessment of his condition.

France’s position could become even more difficult if they fail to beat Turkey and Belgium defeat Italy. That combination would eliminate France from contention for a place in the Nations League quarter-finals and represent a damaging start to Zidane’s reign.

There is also interest in the relationship between Zidane and Mbappe. The player was used on the left wing in Zidane’s first match, a role the manager considered best suited to his qualities, although Mbappe prefers to operate in a more central attacking position.

When announcing his squad last week, Zidane indicated that Mbappe would return to his preferred role. If fit, the France captain is expected to start against Turkey in the forward line rather than being deployed again on the left.

Open training sessions have provided little visible evidence of cooperation between the pair, prompting further questions, although that alone cannot determine the nature of their relationship. What is clear is that France and Zidane need a swift understanding over how best to use their most important player.