Thierry Henry’s criticism and Didier Deschamps’ exclusion have marked tough days for Kylian Mbappé, who is struggling to meet expectations in his Real Madrid shirt. This has drawn the ire of the French youth national team manager, while the head coach of the senior team has also followed suit. Deschamps has decided not to include the global star in the squad for the final cycle of Nations League matches. If Mbappé missed the October games in UEFA’s youngest competition due to an injury he wanted to heal, the question now is why the coach has “skipped” him: was it due to poor performances at the club level or an older issue? Just two days after saying he “couldn’t play,” he ended up on the field for Real Madrid in a La Liga match.Henry on Mbappe: He frustrates the team, it can’t get any worse!In any case, the 25-year-old winger won’t be available for the matches against Israel at the Stade de France or against Italy in Milan. For the first time in a long while, he’s healthy yet not selected… Strange.”I had several discussions with him. I thought about it and I made this decision on this gathering. I think it’s better this way. I’m not going to argue. What I can tell you, two things: Kylian wanted to come, and it’s not the extra-sporting problems that come into play from the moment the presumption of innocence exists. It’s a one-off choice for this gathering with the two matches that await us. We may not agree on certain subjects, but it’s my responsibility to make decisions. I made this one on this gathering. I repeat it once again: because it’s better that way” said French manager.Benzema: Mbappe’s problem at Real Madrid – he’s not a number nineFrance is nearing the end of their Nations League campaign, holding nine points from their first four matches in Group 2 of Division A, and they only need one more point to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. For this round, Deschamps has called up Lucas Chevalier, who has been outstanding as Lille’s goalkeeper in both Ligue 1 and the Champions League, to replace injured goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. N’Golo Kanté from Al-Ittihad and Adrien Rabiot from Marseille are also back due to their regular performances, and after a long absence, Bayern’s Dayot Upamecano returns to the national team in place of Loïc Badé from Sevilla.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE – ROUND 4WednesdayBesiktas – Malmo 2-1 (0-0)/Muci 76, Kilicsoy 85 – Rieks 90+3/Thursday20:45: (1.58) Bodo (4.30) Qarabag (5.40)20:45: (1.82) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.60) Slavia Praha (4.40)20:45: (3.50) Elfsborg (3.45) Braga (2.10)20:45: (2.50) Galatasaray (3.85) Tottenham (2.70)20:45: (3.90) Ludogorets (3.60) Ath.Bilbao (1.93)20:45: (2.05) Nice (3.40) Twente (3.70)20:45: (1.95) Olympiakos (3.75) Rangers (4.00)20:45: (2.85) St.Gilloise (3.20) Roma (2.55)23:00: (2.85) AZ Alkmaar (3.35) Fenerbahce (2.50)23:00: (1.38) Ajax (4.80) Maccabi T.A. (8.50)23:00: (2.35) Dynamo Kyiv (3.30) Ferencvaros (3.10)23:00: (2.70) Hoffenheim (3.45) Olympique Lyon (2.55)23:00: (2.45) Lazio (3.50) Porto (3.05)23:00: (1.27) Man.Utd. (6.25) PAOK (9.50)23:00: (4.70) Plzen (3.50) Sociedad (1.80)23:00: (5.20) Rigas (3.60) Anderlecht (1.72)***odds are subject to change***
