France call up Olise again as Mbappe rested for Nations League games

03.10.2024 - 16:37 channelnewsasia.com

PARIS : France have again called up Michael Olise as they prepare for this month's Nations League games against Israel and Belgium without Kylian Mbappe who has been struggling with injury.The 22-year-old English-born midfielder won his first two caps against Italy and Belgium last month and in the absence of midfielder Antoine Griezmann, who announced his retirement from international football earlier this week, the Bayern Munich player was once more picked by Didier Deschamps on Thursday.Captain Mbappe, who picked up a muscle injury last month playing for Real Madrid in LaLiga, featured for 35 minutes in the club's 1-0 Champions League loss at Lille on Wednesday, but the forward was not deemed fit enough for international duty."He has a problem that is not serious.

I'm not here to take risks, which is why Kylian isn't on the list," Deschamps told a press conference.Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku was also called up 15 months after claiming his last cap in a 1-0 win against Greece.France are second in Group A2 with three points from two games, three points behind Italy.

Football Lille Features UPS Didier Deschamps Michael Olise Antoine Griezmann Kylian Mbappe Christopher Nkunku International France Belgium Italy Israel Greece

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday he wants striker Kylian Mbappe to focus on scoring goals over pressing to help the team. The Spanish and European champions have not been at their peak this season and are still searching for the best way to incorporate the former Paris Saint-Germain superstar following his arrival this summer. Madrid lost on the road at Lille in their last Champions League outing and host Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday in a rematch of last season's final, which they won to earn a record-extending 15th European crown.

Mbappe should score more goals, says Real Madrid coach Ancelotti

MADRID : Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe should prioritise scoring over pressing to support the team, manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday as he backed Jude Bellingham amid his goalless campaign.

Kylian Mbappe 'Seems Unaffected' By Rape Investigation Reports: Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Friday the club's French striker Kylian Mbappe "seems unaffected to me" after Swedish media reported he is being investigated for an alleged rape during a visit to Stockholm. Mbappe's lawyer told AFP this week the France captain was "shocked" to see his name linked to the investigation and he will take action for libel. The forward was not selected by France for UEFA Nations League matches after an injury and visited the Swedish capital with a group of people last week. "In this moment (the reports) are speculations, I see him working every day, he is happy, content, he doesn't seem affected to me at all," said Ancelotti.

Real Madrid Back Kylian Mbappe Amid Swedish Rape Investigation Reports

Real Madrid have, for the moment at least, given their support to star forward Kylian Mbappe since the Swedish media reported that he is being investigated for an alleged rape during a visit to Stockholm. The reigning European champions, who have not commented publicly on the reports, do not appear to be overly concerned about the reports about the player who joined this summer from Paris Saint-Germain. An internal club source, who spoke to AFP on condition of their identity not being revealed, described the accusations as "the biggest fake in the history of sport".

Mbappe’s rape report not good for France team-Deschamps

France coach Didier Deschamps said Monday that a report claiming captain Kylian Mbappe was being investigated for rape in Sweden “is not a good thing for the national team”.

France coach laments Mbappe 'rape' report: 'Not good... be careful when you pick things up'

France coach Didier Deschamps said Monday that a report claiming captain Kylian Mbappe was being investigated for rape in Sweden "is not a good thing for the national team".