France captain
Les Bleus are set to face Roberto Mancini's Italy in Milan as they look to consolidate their position at the top of Group A1. Following the clash in Italy, the squad is scheduled to return home to face Turkey in Bordeaux this Sunday.
Zidane prioritizes caution over risk
Addressing the media, Zidane explained that the decision to leave the star forward out of the squad was a precautionary measure. The coach noted that Mbappe reported feeling discomfort, and the team management decided against taking any unnecessary risks with his recovery.
Zidane expressed disappointment at the setback but remained optimistic about the player's condition. He stated that while losing key personnel is an unfortunate aspect of the sport, he hopes the issue is minor and that the captain will be fit to return for the match against Turkey on Sunday.
Mbappe's return to the international fold
The current international camp marks Mbappe's return to the national team setup after he was forced to miss the previous three matches due to injury. The forward has been in prolific form at the club level this season, having already registered 17 goals across all competitions for Real Madrid.
Earlier in the campaign, Mbappe played a pivotal role in Zidane's debut as head coach, scoring the decisive goal in a victory over Turkey in September. However, that appearance was also cut short when he was forced off the pitch due to pain in his left knee.
France currently sits in a strong position in their Nations League group, having secured three wins and a draw from their opening four matches. A victory against Italy would guarantee their progression to the quarter-finals of the tournament.
