Two red cards in 2026: Emmanuel Petit slams Upamecano's lack of discipline

Dayot Upamecano cracked under pressure once again. During France’s 1-1 draw with Italy in March 2026, the Bayern Munich defender was sent off after receiving two yellow cards within about ten minutes, both times against Moise Kean. This indiscipline cost him his place for the final victory against Belgium (4-1) at Stade de France.

It was Upamecano’s second red card in the France shirt in 2026, following an earlier expulsion against Brazil in March. The repeat offense prompted Emmanuel Petit to speak out forcefully. “Upamecano needs to learn from his mistakes because this is getting out of hand. Stop showing off, play, keep quiet, and get stuck in,” said the 1998 World Cup winner. The midfielder from the 1998 generation pointed to a recurring mental fragility: “When a player gets in his head, he loses his concentration. He loses sight of his objective.”

Beyond the Upamecano case, Petit offered a broader assessment of France’s central defense under Zinedine Zidane, for whom this was the first international break as head coach. While the manager can be satisfied with a record of two wins, one draw and one defeat avoided, the question of discipline in central defense remains.

Petit notably targeted Pierre Kalulu Lacroix, arguing that his insufficient pace is “very detrimental at the highest level”: “He was caught out by a nutmeg on the cross that created a big Belgian chance.” By contrast, the World Cup winner spared Yoro, Jacquet and Saliba on this specific criterion, praising their athletic guarantees.

For Upamecano, the message is clear: at 26 years old with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, repeated concentration errors could cost him his place in Zidane’s starting eleven.