Mbappé to miss Italy match but could play against Türkiye

Kylian Mbappé will not feature in France's crucial Nations League match against Italy, but there is a chance the star striker could be fit in time for Sunday's game against Türkiye.

Les Bleus, who have made a strong start under Zinedine Zidane following Didier Deschamps's 14-year tenure, sit top of UEFA Nations League A Group 1 with 10 points from four matches.

Mbappé has played in only the first of those matches, scoring his side's only goal in the 1-0 win away to Türkiye. The star forward returned to Real Madrid after that game because of a hamstring injury.

Mbappé, who has since made eight appearances for the Spanish giants and scored nine goals, also struck twice in the season's first El Clásico, a 2-1 win over Barcelona at Camp Nou.

This time, however, the France captain complained of discomfort in his thigh, and Zidane decided not to take any risks with his player in Thursday's demanding match at the San Siro.

Speaking to journalists, Zidane said: "Kylian will not be on the pitch tomorrow. He felt a slight pain. As always, we will take zero risks. These things are unfortunate, but they are part of football. I hope he can be with us on Sunday. I think he is in good shape, and the fact that he is staying with us in camp is proof of that. He is not happy because he wanted to play tomorrow, but the season is long and we cannot afford to take any risks. In November, with the league and Champions League schedule so busy, you have to accept this. It is a difficult situation for a head coach, but you have no other choice."

Mbappé's absence for France follows injuries to Marcus Thuram, Ousmane Dembélé, Aurélien Tchouaméni, William Saliba, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix and Manu Koné.

Choosing to stay positive despite the absences, Zidane sees the squad crisis as an opportunity for other players, among them Bournemouth forward Junior Kroupi.

Zidane also spoke about Kroupi, who received a late call-up to the national team after Thuram was withdrawn from the squad: "Kroupi joined us this morning. He trained and showed his quality straight away. The new players are settling in very well and proving that they deserve to be here. We will see whether he is in the starting line-up for the match. He is with us and he is part of the group."

Paris Saint-Germain's Senny Mayulu has also been called up by Zidane; Mayulu, Kroupi, Pablo Pagis, Saël Kumbedi and Robin Risser are the five uncapped players in the France squad.