THE FUSE

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Controversy continues over the nature of the relationship between Zinedine Zidane, the France national team manager, and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe, especially after the player was left out of the match against Italy.

Kylian Mbappé's absence from France training ahead of the clash with Italy was no routine medical update. The timing could hardly have been more sensitive. French press reports have revealed tension between the national team captain and coach Zinedine Zidane, rooted in a dispute over his position on the pitch and how he is used, with an uneasy mood in the dressing room thrown in.

The friction dates back to Zidane's first camp in charge, when he pushed Mbappé out to the left wing and handed Ousmane Dembélé the central role. Many read it as a demotion for the Real Madrid star, who has lately preferred to lead the line as an out-and-out striker.

Zidane had hoped to call on his talisman for the two decisive meetings with Italy and Turkey in the UEFA Nations League. Then came the news. Mbappé had picked up a muscular problem in his hamstring, ruling him out against Italy, though hope remains of a return for the Turkey game.

As the controversy over the relationship swelled, fresh information surfaced pointing to genuine tension between the pair.

"Mbappé acted like an arrogant star"

Cyril Hanouna, the television presenter on the W9 channel and a big Paris Saint-Germain fan, said: "It seems that Kylian Mbappé, given the number of injuries, does not want to play. He is not at his best. And he does not care much about the Italy match because it is part of the UEFA Nations League and not an important match."

He went on: "With all these injuries and his lack of physical readiness, he does not want to play. This is reliable information that I have. Zinedine Zidane will not be as kind with him as Didier Deschamps was."

"Kylian Mbappé acted like an arrogant star, saying: yes, there are a lot of injuries, I do not know whether I will play," he added. "So Zinedine Zidane answered him: alright, as you know, you will not play, thank you, you will stay where you are."

On his programme "Tout beau, tout neuf", Hanouna continued: "Mbappé will deny this talk, as you know, but I have inside information. This is what I am telling you, my dears. There were some scuffles with Didier Deschamps, but he overlooked them a little, and Zidane does not tolerate it. You should know that things are extremely tense between Mbappé and the French national team; he does not get along with his teammates nor with Zidane."

His verdict was blunt: "I tell you, well done Zinedine Zidane, you have courage. He will not leave the team; Zidane told him: you will not play this match, but if you behave well, you will play on Sunday."

France's qualification chances

France go into the clash with Italy, set for tomorrow evening in Milan, chasing more than one target. This is no mere scrap between the top two of Group One in the UEFA Nations League. It carries a place in the quarter-finals, with the chance of finishing top before the final round.

Zidane's side hold a clear edge in the maths, with 10 points from four matches. Italy have 7 and Belgium 6, while Turkey prop up the table without a single point.

The first-leg clash between France and Italy had ended 1-1, with an error from Lucas Da Cunha gifting Italy their equaliser. This time France arrive with their eyes fixed on sealing a quarter-final berth before they even think about top spot.

Fate rests in French hands. A draw against Italy is enough to guarantee first or second in the group and a place in the Nations League quarter-finals, with no need to wait on the final round, according to a report from France's RMC network.

All this plays out against the direct scrap between Italy and Belgium for second place, the two sides meeting next Sunday in Brussels. A single point from the San Siro would spare France any complicated qualification maths.