Israel Vs France: When There Was No Kylian Mbappe

French captain Kylian Mbappe missed the match against Israel in the UEFA Nations League. (X/@equipedefrance)

JAKARTA - Kylian Mbappe did not enter the French squad against Israel in the Group 2 League A UEFA Nations League match at the Bozsik Stadium, Budapest, Hungary, Friday, October 11, 2024 in the morning WIB. France was also not supported by Antoine Griezmann who decided to retire from Les Bleus after Euro 2024.

Coach Didier Deschamps made a reshuffle at the starting eleven after eliminating Mbappe. The former Paris Saint-Germain star who is now playing at Real Madrid in surprisingly did not enter the French squad during the two Nations League matches.

But Deschamps had other considerations by not including Mbappe. The 25-year-old forward has only recently recovered from injury while appearing in the Spanish La Liga match against Deportivo Alaves.

He is expected to be out for three weeks. But only nine days later Mbappe returned when Madrid faced Lille in the Champions League. Losing 1-0 against Lille, Mbappe returned to play in La Liga. This time, he played 70 minutes before being pulled out while defeating Villarreal 2-0.

Deschamps actually prefers Mbappe to rest to really recover from his injury rather than playing. This is what makes Deschamps not call Mbappe while competing in the Nations League. However, Deschamps' decision had disappointed Mbappe. According to him, it was unnatural because as captain of the national team he did not even get a call.

Mbappe's statement even made him criticized by the French media and hardline fan Irresistibles Francais. Luckily, the president of the French football federation (FFF) Philippe Diallo finally intervened in the matter.

"There is nothing more important than the French national team. Didier has spoken to Mbappe and Real Madrid's medical team. He decided not to call Mbappe. But that doesn't mean he doubts the players' commitments to the national team," said Diallo.

"The problem is a tight calendar of matches with many matches. Players also play up to 65 games in one year. So how about the club, the national team and all related parties to sit at one table get a balance," he said again.

Apart from Mbappe, Les Bleus is no longer strengthened by Griezmann who retired from the national team. Only the Atletico Madrid striker is considered not yet time to retire. Even though he is 33 years old, he can still play at the highest level.

Evidently, Griezmann is still the pillar of Atletico. It's just that news circulated that Griezmann was disappointed not to be captain of the national team. Deschamps prefers Mbappe over Griezmann who was more senior when the previous captain, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris retired.

Even without a player who is the team pillar, France on paper is still strong and is predicted to be able to overcome Israel. In the last match, France showed its best performance by beating Belgium 2-0. This victory is the revival of Mike Maignan et al after being forced to surrender 3-1 against Italy.

In the match against Israel which has already lost, Deschamps will definitely overhaul the front sector. Bradley Barcola striker, Mbappe's successor at PSG, will be the first choice. He worked hand in hand with Ousmane Dembele accompanying Marcus Thuram, the Inter Milan mainstay striker. This means Kolo Muani will sit on the bench.

Meanwhile, in the middle of the Madrid duo, Eduardo Tchouameni and Aurelien Camavinga. Behind, there was a change in the composition of players following the absence of defender Dayot Upamecano due to a thigh injury. Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate will work with rival William Saliba who plays at Arsenal.

Israel itself was forced to move home games out of the country following the increasing tensions in the Middle East. In the aftermath, The Skyblue and Whites made Hungary a temporary headquarters and when they hosted the opposing teams.

Israel also seems difficult to compete in the highest caste of the Nations League. In the first two matches, they lost 3-1 against Belgium and then surrendered 2-1 against Italy. If they lose again against France, they will be threatened with lower caste.

In that match, coach Ran Ben Shimon could not field the best team captain Eli Dasa injured. Likewise, the front player aged Dor Turgeman has not recovered from his injury. This makes Ben Shimon have to work hard to serve France.

Forecast Of The Lineup Of Israeli Players (4-2-3-1): Gerafi; Feingold, Nachimas, Shlomo, Leidner; Abu Fani, Kanichowsky; Century, Peretz, Gloukh; Baribo

France (4-3-3): Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Konate, Hernandez; Zare-Emery, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Dembele, Thuram, Barcola