Upamecano, De Bruyne and Tielemans suspended for France-Belgium on Monday at Stade de France

Three major players will be absent from the Nations League France-Belgium clash scheduled for Monday at Stade de France, following matches played Friday evening in the group.

On the French side, Zinédine Zidane will already have to manage without Kylian Mbappé, injured in Turkey, and without Dayot Upamecano, sent off Friday during the 1-1 draw against Italy. The Bayern Munich centre-back is suspended for this fourth match in eleven days.

Belgium is hit even harder. Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne, two of the pillars of the Red Devils, will also miss the trip to Paris. Both midfielders had been cautioned during the defeat to France last week, then each received a second yellow card Friday during the 3-0 victory over Turkey. Two cautions in the group stage automatically result in a suspension.

The loss is considerable for manager Mark van Bommel. Tielemans, the team captain, had played in all three previous matches of this international window. De Bruyne was one of the standout performers of the window: he provided a decisive assist in the victory in Italy and scored a brace against the Turks on Friday.

At 35 years old, the Naples midfielder was displaying reassuring form. “I’m tired, but it’s great to have played three good matches,” he said after the match. “This game suits me better. I’ve always been used to playing aggressive attacking football. The players around me are so energetic that they push me forward. But I also have to say that physically, I feel stronger than last season.”

France, which has already beaten Belgium away in Brussels and Turkey away, approaches this final match of the window in a position of strength, despite a depleted squad.