Dayot Upamecano leaves France camp after Italy defeat amid questions over his future

Dayot Upamecano has left the France camp following Thursday’s 3-1 defeat by Italy in the UEFA Nations League, with personal reasons given for the Bayern Munich defender’s departure.

According to RMC Sport, the 28-year-old received permission from France manager Zinedine Zidane to return to Munich, where he plays his club football. The French Football Federation has not announced a replacement for Upamecano in the squad.

France face Turkey on Sunday in their final group-stage match of the UEFA Nations League. Their loss to Italy at San Siro was their first defeat of the current Nations League campaign and left them second in Group A of League A on 10 points. Italy moved top after gaining the advantage in the head-to-head record.

Upamecano errors prompt questions

Upamecano started against Italy on the right side of central defence alongside Jeremy Jacquet and played the full match.

He conceded a penalty which allowed Pio Esposito to score Italy’s third goal in the 75th minute and extend the hosts’ lead. The Bayern Munich defender also struggled in individual battles and when France attempted to build play from the back.

Those difficulties have led to questions over whether his departure could also have been influenced by sporting considerations, rather than being solely related to personal matters.

Upamecano’s exit adds to a lengthy list of France absentees during this international break. Ousmane Dembele, Maghnes Akliouche, Pierre Kalulu and Marcus Thuram are also unavailable.

Kylian Mbappe missed the match against Italy because of a physical issue, although the France captain is expected to return against Turkey.

“I hope he will be ready for Sunday,” Zidane said after the Italy match. “In any case, that was the plan: for him to rest today because he had a slight discomfort, then to have the possibility of playing on Sunday. That is what we want.”

Two options to replace defender

Zidane has two other central defenders available to replace Upamecano against Turkey: Ibrahima Konate and Leny Yoro. Both are part of the 23-man France squad, along with Jacquet.

Since Zidane took charge of France, Upamecano started the opening match against Turkey, a 1-0 victory, before being left on the bench for the following game against Belgium, which France also won 1-0.

He returned to the starting line-up against Italy in a match described as ending 1-1, but was sent off after receiving two yellow cards. That suspension ruled him out of the subsequent meeting with Belgium.

Upamecano has won 49 caps for France and scored two goals.