Zinédine Zidane announced his second France squad as head coach, and there’s one name that’s got everyone talking: Pablo Pagis. The Paris FC forward secured his first-ever call-up to the senior national team, a total surprise that nobody saw coming for the upcoming Nations League matches against Italy and Turkey. This kid is the dark horse in a lineup already stacked with talent.
Zidane’s Core Returns, With Added Punch
Zidane is clearly sticking with the main crew from his first squad, but he’s also bringing back some serious talent. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Warren Zaïre-Emery, who had a well-deserved rest in September, are back in the fold. And get this: Marcus Thuram and Malo Gusto, who missed Zidane’s debut, are also returning to Clairefontaine. This squad isn’t messing around as they head into crucial international fixtures.
Injury Report: Big Names Sidelined
It’s not all good news, though. A handful of key players are out due to injury, missing these crucial Nations League clashes. Ousmane Dembélé, Maghnes Akliouche, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Manu Koné, and Estéban Lepaul are all unfortunately sidelined. Their absence is a blow, but it also opens the door for other players to step up big time.
The stage is set for some intense Nations League action. France takes on Italy on November 12, then battles Turkey on November 15. With Pagis being the ultimate wildcard and some key players returning, you know Zidane is looking to make a statement. We’ll be watching every kick!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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