France make nine changes as Zidane faces Belgium

Zinedine Zidane has reshaped France’s starting team for the meeting with Belgium, giving several players a chance to establish themselves under the new coach. Mike Maignan will captain the side, while Maxence Lacroix is the only other starter retained from the previous match.

The changes come three days after France opened Zidane’s tenure with a 1-0 win away to Turkey. Monday’s game in Belgium is the second round of the Nations League, placing the newly appointed coach in charge of a substantially different lineup for his first home? no, away? It is in Belgium, and the phrase home is not needed.

Andy Diouf, Jérémy Jacquet and Lucas Da Cunha are named for their international debuts. Estéban Lepaul, who earned his first cap against Turkey, makes his first start. The attack also features Désiré Doué, Estéban Lepaul and Bradley Barcola, with Maghnes Akliouche supporting from midfield.

France’s XI is Maignan; Kalulu, Jacquet, Lacroix, Diouf; Camavinga, Da Cunha, Akliouche; Doué, Lepaul and Barcola. Belgium start with Lammens in goal, behind Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele and Seys. Tielemans and Lavia occupy midfield, while Moreira, De Bruyne, Godts and De Ketelaere lead the hosts’ attacking group.