France manager Zinedine Zidane has refused to blame Kylian Mbappe’s absence after Les Bleus were held to a 1-1 draw by Italy in the UEFA Nations League.
Mbappe missed the match at Stade de France on Saturday, October 3, 2026, after suffering a left knee injury while representing France against Turkey in their previous fixture.
With the France captain and Real Madrid star unavailable, Zidane was asked how much his absence affected the team’s performance.
The new France boss, who recently replaced Didier Deschamps, refused to speculate and instead focused on the players who were available.
Zidane Does Not Blame Mbappe’s Absence
Mbappe absence was inevitably one of the main talking points before the match against Italy.
The forward remains one of France’s most important attacking players, making his absence particularly noticeable.
However, Zidane did not want to use the injury as an explanation for the result.
“Did Kylian Mbappe’s absence affect the team? We cannot say that. He is not here because of injury,” Zidane said, as quoted by AS.
Rather than focusing on a player who could not take part, Zidane chose to assess the performance of the players available to him.
The former Real Madrid legend also pointed out that France still created several opportunities during the match.
That was an important aspect of his assessment, particularly because France had chances to secure a different result.
France Take the Lead Through Michael Olise
France made a positive start by taking the lead through Michael Olise.
The goal gave Les Bleus an advantage at Stade de France and appeared to put Zidane’s side in a strong position.
Italy, however, responded and eventually found an equaliser through Alessandro Bastoni.
The goal changed the situation and ensured that the match ended with both sides sharing the points.
For Zidane, the result was disappointing because he believed France had done enough to earn more.
The issue was not necessarily a lack of opportunities.
Instead, France’s inability to convert the chances they created became one of the key talking points after the final whistle.
Zidane Believes France Could Have Taken More
Despite the 1-1 draw, Zidane did not suggest that France were completely outplayed.
His assessment focused on the opportunities his team failed to turn into goals.
France created chances even without Mbappe, but the final outcome did not reflect the opportunities available to them.
This is likely to be one of the areas Zidane will want to improve as he continues his early work as France manager.
The former midfielder has now taken over one of the most demanding national-team jobs in international football.
His immediate challenge is to ensure that France can remain effective even when key players are unavailable.
Key points from France’s draw with Italy:
- Kylian Mbappe missed the match because of a left knee injury.
- France took the lead through Michael Olise.
- Alessandro Bastoni scored Italy’s equaliser.
- The match ended 1-1 at Stade de France.
- Zidane refused to blame Mbappe’s absence for the result.
- France created several chances but failed to convert enough of them.
- Zidane believes France could have achieved a better result.
Real Madrid Continue to Monitor Mbappe
While Zidane is focused on France, Real Madrid are closely monitoring Mbappe’s condition.
The forward suffered the injury while scoring for France against Turkey.
There was initially concern that the problem could be serious, but subsequent medical examinations indicated that there was no major issue.
Even so, Mbappe has yet to return to training.
His presence in Paris has also attracted attention as questions remain about when he will be able to resume football activities.
For Real Madrid, the priority will be ensuring that the forward makes a full recovery rather than rushing him back into action.
Mbappe’s Importance to Real Madrid
Mbappe’s availability is particularly important for Real Madrid’s attack.
The French forward has become a key part of the club’s attacking plans, meaning any extended absence would represent a significant challenge.
After the international break, Real Madrid are scheduled to face Villarreal in domestic competition.
The club will therefore have to assess Mbappe’s condition carefully before determining whether he is ready to return.
Even if the medical situation is not considered serious, the timing of his comeback will depend on his recovery and readiness to train.
Real Madrid are unlikely to benefit from taking unnecessary risks with one of their most important players.
France Begin Adjusting Without Their Captain
For France, the draw against Italy provided an opportunity to experience life without their captain.
Mbappe’s importance to the team is clear, but Zidane’s comments suggest that France must also be capable of functioning effectively when their leading player is unavailable.
The presence of other attacking options gives Zidane alternatives.
Olise’s goal against Italy was one indication of that depth, while France’s ability to create chances showed that the team could still threaten without Mbappe.
The next challenge will be turning those opportunities into consistent results.
For Zidane, that process is part of building his France team following his appointment as Deschamps’ successor.
Two Teams, Two Different Concerns
The situation surrounding Mbappe has created different priorities for France and Real Madrid.
France need to continue developing their ability to perform without their captain when circumstances require it.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, will be hoping Mbappe can recover quickly and return without complications.
Both teams will therefore be watching his recovery closely.
For now, Zidane has made his position clear. He does not want France’s draw against Italy to be reduced to a discussion about one absent player.
Instead, the new manager wants to focus on the performance of the players who were available and the chances France created.
Zidane’s New Era Begins With a Lesson
The 1-1 draw against Italy represents an early learning experience for Zidane in his new role.
France showed they could create opportunities without Mbappe, but they also demonstrated that converting those chances remains essential.
Meanwhile, Mbappe’s recovery will remain a major storyline for both France and Real Madrid.
The French national team must prepare for matches regardless of who is available, while Real Madrid have a clear interest in protecting their star forward during his recovery.
For now, Zidane has chosen not to make excuses.
His focus is on the squad in front of him, while Mbappe’s return will be determined by his recovery rather than pressure to get back on the pitch.
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