Dayot Upamecano will return to Bayern Munich ahead of schedule after his dismissal in France’s 1-1 Nations League draw with Italy. The centre-back is suspended for Monday’s home match against Belgium and left the France camp at Clairefontaine at 9.30am on Saturday.
Upamecano sent off after late foul
Upamecano started France’s home game against Italy, Zinedine Zidane’s first match in charge on home soil after succeeding Didier Deschamps. He had looked composed for much of the contest before collecting two yellow cards.
- His first booking came in the 73rd minute during a confrontation involving Italy forward Moise Kean.
- Five minutes before normal time, Upamecano stopped Kean on the wing during an Italian break and received a second yellow card.
- The red card rules him out of France’s fourth Nations League fixture, against Belgium on Monday at 20:45.
France confirmed that the defender had been released back to his club. Clairefontaine is the national training centre used by the French squad during international windows.
Olise free-kick gives France a point
Michael Olise put France ahead in the 55th minute with an inventive set-piece routine. Rayan Cherki rolled the free-kick into his path and the Bayern attacker drove his finish into the top corner.
Alessandro Bastoni equalised in the 68th minute for Italy, denying France a third straight win. France remain top of Nations League League A Group 1 on seven points, one ahead of Belgium.
Reduced France squad, Bayern return ahead
France will have 21 players available for Belgium. Kylian Mbappé remains out with a knee injury, while Belgium must manage without suspended pair Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne.
For Bayern, Upamecano’s early return means extra recovery time before the Bundesliga resumes. Bayern travel to FC Augsburg next Saturday at 15:30 after a three-week league break.
