Ousmane Dembélé has been ruled out of France's upcoming Nations League match against Italy. The PSG forward, who suffered a thigh injury against FC Barcelona, is expected to be sidelined for three weeks. This absence comes as the team prepares for its next fixture, away to Italy on Thursday 12 November.

The incident occurred early in the Champions League match at the Parc des Princes, where Paris Saint-Germain won 4-2. "I have a pain in the back of my left thigh after an acceleration, before asking for my replacement as early as the 19th minute of play," Dembélé said. This injury sidelines the 27-year-old for the away fixture in Italy scheduled for 12 November.

A blow for Les Bleus

The loss of Dembélé comes as France enters a decisive phase of the Nations League in strong form. The team is unbeaten in its last four matches, with three wins and a draw. This run includes the 4-1 win over Belgium on 5 October, preceded by a 1-1 draw with Italy on 2 October and 1-0 victories in Belgium and Türkiye in late September. Its last outing, a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Belgium on 5 October, showed a prolific attack where Désiré Doué, Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise, who scored a brace, found the net. Kylian Mbappé, with ten goals this season, remains the primary scorer, but Dembélé's contributions from the right flank are consistently valuable.

This absence recalls past tensions between PSG and the French Football Federation over the management of internationals' injuries, although the relationship has improved under Zinédine Zidane's leadership.

Complicated club context

The match against Barcelona was costly for Paris Saint-Germain, who also lost Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to an ACL rupture and Marquinhos to a thigh lesion requiring several weeks of care. These cascading absences impact both the club and the national team, now deprived of one of its attacking assets.

Les Bleus, who lead their group, will then face Turkey in Bordeaux on 15 November. The schedule is busy and the squad's depth will be tested. The recent team performance, marked by goals from Doué, Cherki and a brace from Olise against Belgium, however provides reasons for optimism. Zidane's squad list for the November gathering will be keenly anticipated. Following the Italy match, France will travel to Poland for a friendly on 19 November.

Background and full detail: RMC Sport