Mbappé injury and Zidane rotates: Dembélé among nine changes vs Belgium

Zinedine Zidane leaves out Kylian Mbappé and makes nine changes to France’s starting XI for the trip to Belgium in Nations League Group 1, matchday two. The coach’s debut came on Saturday with a 0-1 win over Turkey.

Mbappé is missing with a left-knee injury he suffered while scoring against Turkey. Ousmane Dembélé starts the match on the bench, and the rest of the reshuffle means only Mike Maignan and Maxence Lacroix remain from the XI that beat Turkey—Maignan captains the side.

Jérémy Jacquet (Liverpool), Andy Diouf (Inter) and Lucas Da Cunha (Como) will all debut in the starting lineup. Jacquet partners Lacroix in central defence, Pierre Kalulu shifts to the right for Jules Koundé, and Diouf plays on the left in place of Adrien Truffert. In midfield, Eduardo Camavinga comes in for Rayan Cherki, teaming up with Da Cunha and Désiré Doué.

New front line

Maghnes Akliouche, Esteban Lepaul and Bradley Barcola replace Michael Olise, Dembélé and Mbappé. Belgium repeat their XI under Mark van Bommel, with Kevin De Bruyne (35) leading and Mika Godts (PSG), Diego Moreira (Milan) and Charles de Ketelaere (Atalanta) in attack, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.