Will Mbappé feature? The expected France line-up in the revenge match

France's final training session on Saturday evening in Bordeaux offered a few clues about Zinedine Zidane's selection, particularly in the back line. All eyes are on the return of Kylian Mbappé to the starting XI, after the forward missed the Italy fixture with discomfort in his thigh.

Zidane had used the pre-match press conference ahead of the Turkey game to deny any tension in his relationship with the Real Madrid star.

The relationship between them is going perfectly, the coach insisted, before turning to Mbappé's availability for the clash against Turkey. The final round of the UEFA Nations League group stage takes place at the Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux.

Responding to reports of a rift with Mbappé, the French coach said: "I do not understand it, but the matter is not serious. My relationship with him is that of a coach with his player, and things are going perfectly."

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According to French network "RMC Sport", Andy Diouf lined up at right-back during part of the tactical practice match, in the group wearing yellow bibs. That same group featured Jérémy Jacquet and Ibrahima Konaté at the heart of the defence. Adrien Truffert started the session with them, then finished it without the yellow bib.

Warren Zaïre-Emery featured alongside Lucas Da Cunha in midfield, though Zidane has yet to settle on Eduardo Camavinga or Rayan Cherki to complete the trio. The pair are competing for the remaining spot.

Up front, the signs point to a trio of Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappé and Bradley Barcola.

France are expected to begin the match with the following line-up:

• Goalkeeping: Mike Maignan.
• Defence: Andy Diouf, Jérémy Jacquet, Ibrahim Konaté, Adrien Truffert.
• Midfield: Warren Zaïre-Emery, Lucas Da Cunha, Eduardo Camavinga or Rayan Cherki.
• Attack: Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappé, Bradley Barcola.

Les Bleus had made a positive start to the Nations League before Italy beat them 3-0 in the last round, a defeat that came after Michael Olise had put them in front.

France and Italy share top spot in Group One on 10 points apiece. Belgium sit third on 9 points, while Turkey prop up the table without a point, leaving the final round to decide who reaches the quarter-finals.

The first-leg meeting between the sides, played on Turkish soil, ended in a 1-0 win for France.

Zidane wants a repeat at the Atlantique in Bordeaux: a positive end to the group stage and a chance to shake off the sting of that defeat to Italy.

Written byMuhammad Sharaf Eldeen

Shift Managing Editor

Professional Summary

A multi-disciplinary Egyptian journalist dedicated to providing readers with comprehensive and accurate insights. I possess over 13 years of experience in print and broadcast media, having contributed to some of the largest newspapers, digital platforms, and TV channels in Egypt and the Arab world. Notably, since April 2017, I have served as a Shift Manager and Desk Editor at Kooora, the leading Arabic sports website, collaborating with a premier team of highly professional journalists.

I am passionate about crafting logical and accessible sports articles and analyses—avoiding unnecessary complexity—while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and objectivity. I firmly believe that personal bias has no place in journalism; information is a trust, and integrity is the supreme ethic of the media profession.

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My journey with football began at the age of five, inspired by my family's passion during the 1994 World Cup. Since then, the sport has become an integral part of my life, both as a player and a spectator.

One of my most formative footballing memories is the historic 1999 UEFA Champions League final at Camp Nou. That night, Manchester United’s dramatic late comeback against Bayern Munich marked the beginning of my lifelong allegiance to the German giants, who still hold a prominent place in my heart.

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Leveraging extensive experience across various media sectors, I specialize in:

Football History: Extensive knowledge of European and German football history.

Tactical Analysis: Predicting match scenarios and tactical breakdowns.

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Among many memorable sporting moments, the most significant remains Bayern Munich’s 2001 UEFA Champions League victory over Valencia—my first continental celebration with the club.

All-Time Favorite XI:

Goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer.

Defense: Alessandro Nesta, Sergio Ramos, Philipp Lahm, Paolo Maldini.

Midfield: Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Zinedine Zidane.

Forward: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldo Nazário.

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