The curse keeps haunting the French side: Zidane leaves out France player for Italy and Turkey clashes
Numerous absences from the current camp
Zinedine Zidane has been dealt a heavy blow just days before France's UEFA Nations League meetings with Italy and Turkey.
An injury curse has left the former Real Madrid coach grappling with a string of problems this international break. William Saliba (Arsenal), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Maxence Lacroix (Chelsea), Manu Koné (Roma), Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain) and Esteban Lepaul (Rennes) are all unavailable.
Suspension rules out defender Dayot Upamecano for the Italy clash too, forcing Zidane to turn to new faces and returning names to plug the gaps.
Another player will now drop out of the squad this international break, and once again injury is to blame.
According to "Foot MercatoFoot Mercato", Pierre Kalulu picked up an injury as Juventus drew 2-2 with Fiorentina in Serie A yesterday.
The Old Lady's defender is nursing a hamstring injury in his left leg and will stay in Turin for treatment.
Called up by Zidane for the international break, the French defender will now miss his country's next two matches.
France face Italy next Thursday, then take on Turkey on Sunday.
Both games carry real weight. Les Bleus want to top their group and reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League.
Zidane has yet to name a replacement for the injured Juventus man.
