France manager Zinedine Zidane has called up uncapped Paris FC striker Pablo Pagis to his 23-man squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Italy and Turkey. The surprise inclusion comes as cover for the injured Maghnes Akliouche and amid a wider injury crisis affecting the squad.
Zidane explained his decision by highlighting the 23-year-old's unique qualities. "He is in the squad because we have a little problem with Akliouche, and so we needed to choose another player," the coach said. "Pablo was part of the long list, and he is a player I want to see." Pagis, who joined Paris FC from Lorient this summer primarily as an attacking midfielder, has two goals and one assist this season.
The list of absentees is substantial for these key fixtures. Beyond Akliouche, who has a calf injury, top scorer Kylian Mbappé is unavailable due to a knee injury sustained in September. William Saliba, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, Manu Koné, Ousmane Dembélé and Esteban Lepaul are also ruled out.
France enter this international window leading Nations League Group A1 with 10 points, three ahead of Italy. They are unbeaten in their last four matches, a run that includes a 4-1 win over Belgium in early October and a 1-1 draw with these same Italians on October 2. The immediate challenge is an away trip to face Italy in Milan on November 12, followed by a home game against Turkey in Bordeaux on November 15. The top two teams in the group will advance to the quarter-finals next March.
The squad features goalkeepers Mike Maignan, Robin Risser and Guillaume Restes. Defenders include Andy Diouf, Jérémy Jacquet, Ibrahima Konaté, Malo Gusto, Pierre Kalulu, Adrien Truffert, Dayot Upamecano and Leny Yoro. The midfield is built around Eduardo Camavinga, Rayan Cherki, Lucas Da Cunha, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Warren Zaire-Emery. The forward line consists of Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram and Pablo Pagis.
The son of former beach soccer player Mickaël Pagis, Pablo Pagis is rewarded for his club form with this first senior call-up. He will link up with the squad at Clairefontaine early next week ahead of the key fixture in Italy.
Background and full detail: Sportsnet Soccer
