France Lose Mbappé for Italy Showdown, Zidane Turns to 20-Year-Old PSG Forward

France will be without captain Kylian Mbappé for Thursday's crucial UEFA Nations League clash against Italy after the forward was ruled out with a hamstring problem. Head coach Zinedine Zidane has responded by handing a maiden senior-team call-up to Paris Saint-Germain forward Senny Mayulu.

Mbappé missed Wednesday's training session, prompting concerns over his availability. Zidane subsequently confirmed that he would not take any unnecessary risks with his captain, who has been experiencing discomfort in his hamstring.

However, the France coach played down the seriousness of the problem, expressing confidence that Mbappé would recover in time for Sunday's home fixture against Turkey in Bordeaux.

Italy coach Roberto Mancini had also suggested that the French star should avoid taking risks, joking that he should save himself for Real Madrid's upcoming Champions League commitments.

The 20-year-old Mayulu was initially with France's Under-21 squad at Clairefontaine before being called up to the senior team for the trip to Milan. He joins another young newcomer, Eli Junior Kroupi, who was brought into the squad after Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram suffered a hamstring injury.

France head into the encounter at the San Siro at the top of their Nations League group. A victory over Italy would secure their place in the quarter-finals scheduled for March.

The two sides drew 1-1 in their previous meeting at the Stade de France last month, with Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma producing an impressive performance. Mbappé missed that encounter as well, although the reason then was a knee injury.

Italy, meanwhile, are three points behind France and just one ahead of Belgium, whom they face on Sunday, making Thursday's contest particularly important for their qualification hopes.