Bangla Press Desk: France is set to embark on a new era under new coach Zinedine Zidane. The World Cup-winning coach will make his debut in the national team dugout in a UEFA Nations League match against Turkey late Friday night.
However, a change to the squad was necessitated by injury even before the first match. With Real Madrid center-back Ibrahima Konaté ruled out, Manchester United defender Leny Yoro has been called up as his replacement.
Konaté felt discomfort in his right knee during training on Wednesday and subsequently underwent an MRI scan. A member of the French coaching staff revealed that the test detected a minor sprain in his right knee. As a precaution, he has been released from the squad and will return to his club, Real Madrid.
The 27-year-old Konaté is the third player to withdraw from the France squad during the current international break. Previously, Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser and PSG midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery had to pull out due to injuries.
On a positive note for France, concerns regarding Kylian Mbappé's fitness have been dispelled. The Real Madrid forward missed training on Tuesday due to flu-like symptoms but recovered quickly and trained with the team on Thursday.
All eyes will be on Mbappé—who delivered a stellar performance at the World Cup—during the match against Turkey. As France begins this new chapter under Zidane, the star forward will be a key figure the team relies upon.
Zidane will take his place in the French dugout for the first time at the Kocaeli Stadium in Turkey. Following the match against Turkey during this international break, the French team will travel to face Belgium. They are then scheduled to play home matches against Italy and Belgium in October.
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