Mbappe poised to return as France seek Nations League response against Turkey

Kylian Mbappe is expected to return to France’s starting line-up for their decisive Nations League group match against Turkey in Bordeaux on Sunday.

France are looking to recover from Thursday’s 3-1 defeat by Italy, despite taking the lead through Michael Olise. The result leaves France and Italy level on 10 points at the top of the group, with Belgium one point behind on nine and Turkey bottom without a point.

The final round of matches will determine which teams progress to the quarter-finals.

Mbappe missed the defeat by Italy because of discomfort in his thigh, but France’s final training session on Saturday offered signs that the Real Madrid forward could feature from the start at Matmut Atlantique.

France manager Zinedine Zidane also rejected reports of tension between himself and Mbappe during his pre-match news conference.

“I do not understand that, but it is not serious,” Zidane said. “My relationship with him is that of a manager with his player, and everything is going perfectly.”

The training session provided further clues about Zidane’s defensive plans. According to French broadcaster RMC Sport, Andy Diouf operated at right-back for part of the tactical exercise in the group wearing yellow bibs.

That group also included centre-backs Jeremy Jacquet and Ibrahima Konate. Adrien Truffert began the session in the same group but finished without a yellow bib.

Warren Zaire-Emery and Lucas Da Cunha were used together in midfield, while Eduardo Camavinga and Rayan Cherki are competing for the remaining place in the three-man unit.

In attack, Olise, Mbappe and Bradley Barcola are expected to form the front three.

France expected line-up

Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan

Defence: Andy Diouf, Jeremy Jacquet, Ibrahima Konate, Adrien Truffert

Midfield: Warren Zaire-Emery, Lucas Da Cunha, Eduardo Camavinga or Rayan Cherki

Attack: Michael Olise, Kylian Mbappe, Bradley Barcola

France began their Nations League campaign with positive results before suffering a heavy defeat against Italy in their previous match.

They won the reverse fixture against Turkey 1-0 when the teams met in Turkey, and Zidane will hope his side can repeat that result at Matmut Atlantique and end the group stage positively after the setback against Italy.

The match takes place in Bordeaux on Sunday evening, with France seeking both a win and a return to form as qualification for the quarter-finals is settled.