Brussels will offer France an early test of depth on Monday, with Zinedine Zidane weighing a reshaped front line for the Nations League meeting with Belgium at the King Baudouin Stadium. Kylian Mbappé has returned to Madrid after injuring his left knee against Turkey, leaving a vacancy at the centre of the attack.
Désiré Doué is in contention to fill it. The forward came on in the 59th minute of France’s opening Group A1 match and replaced Mbappé after the Real Madrid player was hurt in the move that produced the only goal of the game. Zidane could now hand Doué a starting role as the No. 9 in the Belgian capital.
Changes expected after Turkey victory
France began their Nations League campaign with a narrow win over Turkey, but it was far from a straightforward evening. Mbappé finished Michael Olise’s pass to secure the result before suffering hyperextension of his left knee in the same sequence.
The injury rules the captain out of the trip to face Mark van Bommel’s Belgium. Zidane has already confirmed that alterations are planned for Monday’s fixture and indicated that Ousmane Dembélé will be managed across the international schedule rather than starting every match.
That could leave France with an attacking trio of Olise, Doué and Bradley Barcola. Cherki, Eduardo Camavinga and Adrien Rabiot are expected to form the midfield behind them.
Left-back decision remains open
The main outstanding selection issue appears to be on the left of the French defence. Bournemouth’s Adrien Truffert started against Turkey, although Inter’s Andy Diouf is also under consideration for the role.
Mike Maignan is expected in goal, protected by Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano and Maxence Lacroix, with Truffert or Diouf completing the back four.
France’s likely team is Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Lacroix, Truffert or Diouf; Cherki, Camavinga, Rabiot; Olise, Doué and Barcola.
