Dayot Upamecano picked up an unnecessary sending-off during France’s Nations League match against Italy – and is now returning to FC Bayern ahead of schedule.
Dayot Upamecano is back at Säbener Straße sooner than planned. Because the Bayern Munich centre-back picked up a second yellow card in the Nations League, he has left the French national team early and set off on his return journey to Munich.
Upamecano will be “made available to his club again”, the Equipe Tricolore coaching staff announced. “He will leave Clairefontaine this morning (Saturday) at 9.30 am.” Clairefontaine is home to the French national football training centre, where the squad always gathers during international breaks.
Upamecano had been in the starting line-up on Friday for Zinedine Zidane’s home debut as Deschamps’ successor and had long looked in command during the 1–1 draw against Italy – until, five minutes before full-time, he committed an unnecessary foul on Moise Kean on the wing during a counter-attack by the visitors and was shown a second yellow card. It was only in the 73rd minute, during a scramble – in which Kean was also involved – that he had received his first booking.
As a result, Upamecano will miss his team’s fourth Nations League fixture this coming Monday at home against Belgium, who in turn will be without the suspended Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne. France are also still without Kylian Mbappé following his knee injury. Zidane therefore has only 21 players at his disposal.
Olise’s extraordinary free-kick goal
In Group 1 of Nations League League A, France lead with seven points, just ahead of Belgium (6). Against Italy, the once again formidable Michael Olise opened the scoring by slotting a free-kick, cleverly set up by Rayan Cherki, into the top corner (55’). However, Alessandro Bastoni (68’) prevented the World Cup semi-finalists from making a perfect nine-point start.
After a three-week break in the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich’s campaign resumes this coming Saturday away at FC Augsburg – with a well-rested Upamecano.