France's new head coach Zinedine Zidane has been dealt an early blow ahead of naming his first squad for the November internationals. PSG midfielder Maghnes Akliouche has been ruled out of the Nations League matches against Italy and Turkey due to a calf injury.

The 24-year-old was forced off early in his club's Champions League match against Villarreal last week. "He received two heavy blows to the same calf recently," it was stated. "That's the reason he had to come off before the end of his last two club matches." The injury also sidelines him for his club's Ligue 1 fixture against Troyes this Friday.

A depleted first squad

Zidane, who succeeds Didier Deschamps, will announce his selection on Friday at 18:00 for the two Nations League fixtures. France travel to Italy on November 12 before hosting Turkey three days later. Akliouche's absence adds to an already lengthy injury list that includes Ousmane Dembélé, Manu Koné, Jules Koundé, William Saliba, Maxence Lacroix and Estéban Lepaul.

The sporting context, however, is positive for Les Bleus heading into this international break. The team is unbeaten in their last four matches, with three wins and a draw. Their most recent result was a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Belgium on October 5, where Michael Olise scored a brace. The next challenge is an away trip to Italy, a side France already faced and drew with (1-1) at the start of October. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan was decisive in that match, making five saves to preserve a point.

This first squad announcement of the Zidane era will be closely watched, particularly to see how the coach addresses these midfield absences. The match against Italy, scheduled for November 12, is the next step in the team's preparation, with Kylian Mbappé their top scorer this season with ten goals.

Background and full detail: Sports.fr

Zinédine Zidane unveiled his 23-man squad on Friday. The manager confirmed the returns of Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni. He also called up Paris FC forward Pablo Pagis for the first time. Zidane explained he left Tchouaméni out in September as it was "preferable he stay in Madrid." France, unbeaten in their last four, face Italy on November 12.

Zinédine Zidane confirmed the kick-off times for the two Nations League matches this Thursday. The French Football Federation stated the match in Italy will be played on November 12 at 20:45 at the San Siro. The match against Turkey will take place on November 15 at 20:45 at the Matmut Atlantique Stadium in Bordeaux. France, unbeaten in their last four, can qualify for the quarter-finals with a draw in Milan. The team's last result was a 4-1 win against Belgium on October 5.