Zinédine Zidane faces Mbappé absence before Belgium

Zinédine Zidane must reorganise France’s attack before his second match as coach after Kylian Mbappé was ruled out with a left-knee injury. The forward has returned to Madrid, leaving the new France manager without a key option for Monday’s Nations League meeting with Belgium.

The problem follows France’s narrow 1-0 win in Turkey, Zidane’s first match in charge, which came three days before the Belgium fixture. The result gave him a winning start, but the performance also exposed areas that need attention as he prepares for a stronger opponent.

France still have to find a midfield structure capable of controlling the match for longer periods. The team showed only brief spells of possession in Turkey and did not consistently dictate the game, making the balance in the centre a central concern for Zidane.

Samir Nasri has questioned whether the current France squad can impose a clear playing identity. He believes the team has considerable attacking talent but lacks midfielders able to supply it regularly and control the tempo. Nasri also contrasted France with Spain, whose style he considers stable even when the players and coach change. Zidane therefore faces Belgium without Mbappé and with questions over how France will create and manage the game.