France-Turkey: Zidane’s Side Must Win to Stay in Nations League

Belgium are now one point behind France. Zidane and his staff will be watching the result in Brussels as well as their own.

Three outcomes still open

France can still finish top of the group, reach the quarterfinals as runners-up, or end up third and miss the knockout rounds altogether.

Zidane has dismissed the idea of failure. He said he has not once considered that France could fall short, and that the squad knows the task is to finish the job and qualify.

After the Italy loss, he said he was not disappointed. The team needs to work out why it was not at its best, he said, adding that it was not a bad match and that there are things to improve.

He told his players not to panic. In his view, the defeat was not fully deserved.

Injuries and Mbappé's return

Zidane has lost several players since the international break began. Kalulu, Tchouaméni and Marcus Thuram left the camp with physical problems. Upamecano and Doué dropped out after the Italy game.

Kylian Mbappé missed the match at San Siro with a physical complaint but has joined the squad for this fixture. The Real Madrid forward scored against Turkey in the first meeting, in the same move in which he was injured. "His presence changes everything," Zidane said.

Turkey goalkeeper Berke Ozer has admitted that facing Mbappé and Olise is close to an impossible mission.

Selection questions

Mbappé's return forces a decision up front. Zidane has said more than once that he wants Mbappé on the left.

That leaves the central striker's role open. Barcola could play there again, although he looked uncomfortable against Italy. Eli Junior Kroupi, who made his debut in Milan, is the alternative.

In defense, Konaté is expected to partner Jacquet in the center. Attention is on the right-back spot after Malo Gusto's display against Italy.

Zidane does not plan to move Zaïre-Emery from midfield. If he plays, he said, it will be in the center of the pitch.