Barthez Under Pressure to Justify Goalkeeper Choices for France in November

Zinedine Zidane unveiled his 23-man squad on Friday for November’s international break, where France will face Italy on November 12 and Turkey on November 15 in the Nations League. Fabien Barthez’s goalkeeper selections immediately sparked controversy.

In his show, Jérôme Rothen questioned the call-ups of Guillaume Restes and Robin Risser, while demanding answers about Jean Butez’s absence. “It’s Barthez who picks the goalkeepers, and he’s going to have to explain to us why Butez isn’t here, given the season he’s having with his team, especially playing in the biggest competition,” the former international said. The Como goalkeeper, currently competing in the Champions League, is having a convincing enough season to deserve a place in the squad, according to Rothen.

Risser, meanwhile, is coming off a difficult spell: a 1-9 defeat to Como with RC Lens, preceded by a match where he conceded three goals at Bruges. “He’s not in his best form,” Rothen said to justify his reservations about the Lens goalkeeper.

Guillaume Restes was not spared either. Rothen pointed to two errors by the Toulouse goalkeeper in TFC’s 2-0 defeat to OM at the Vélodrome last weekend. “Is Restes in the France squad for life?” he said ironically, questioning the consistency of Toulouse’s starter as a reliable choice for the national team.

As the new France goalkeeper coach, Fabien Barthez has not yet publicly responded to these criticisms. His first selection decisions are set to be closely scrutinized during this November international break.