France face Belgium on Monday after Italy draw

France will face Belgium on Monday at 20:45 at the Stade de France in its final match of the first gathering of the Zinédine Zidane era. The Nations League fixture comes after Friday’s 1-1 draw with Italy. France had previously won both of its away matches, but its return to the Stade de France ended with a share of the points after a performance described as rather flat.

The day after the draw, the players went cycling in the forest late in the morning. Upamecano, who had been released to return to his club, was not with them. The group was then split: those who started against Italy followed a recovery programme that included massages, baths and strength work.

France will have one final chance to finish the gathering on a more convincing note. A press conference with the national team’s coach is scheduled for Sunday, on the eve of the match against Belgium.