MILAN (AP) — Kylian Mbappé will miss Thursday’s Nations League match against Italy with a hamstring problem, prompting France coach Zinedine Zidane to give a first call up to Paris Saint-Germain forward Senny Mayulu.
Mbappé sat out training Wednesday and Zidane later confirmed that he would not risk playing the France captain.
Zidane added that Mbappé has “a bit of discomfort, nothing major, he should be fine for Sunday” when France hosts Turkey in Bordeaux.
Italy coach Roberto Mancini had earlier been asked about the potential absence of Mbappé.
“I would suggest he doesn’t risk it,” Mancini said with a laugh. “Besides, there’s the Champions League coming up for Real Madrid, so it’s better if he doesn’t play tomorrow.
“Joking aside, France has so many forwards — each one better than the next — that it’s hard to choose between them.”
The 20-year-old Mayulu already was at the Clairefontaine training camp with the Under-21 squad before joining the senior team to travel to Milan.
Mayulu joins another 20-year-old newcomer, Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi who replaced Marcus Thuram. The Inter Milan striker also has a hamstring injury.
France is top of the Nations League group and will advance to the quarterfinals in March by beating Italy at San Siro.
The two teams played out a 1-1 draw at Stade de France last month, mainly because of Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s performance.
Mbappé missed that match because of a knee injury.
Italy is three points below France and one above Belgium, which it plays on Sunday.
