New pressure on the Blues: Zidane faces major absences

J‑2 before the next Zinédine Zidane squad, New France is preparing to announce the players. This Friday, he will unveil the selected squads for the two final group‑stage matches of the Champions League, in Italy and against Turkey.

Past performance and injuries

During the first gathering, a little over a month ago, the Blues had shown a very promising side, while racking up ten points out of a possible twelve. Zinédine Zidane might be tempted to start again with the same players, but because of injuries, that will simply be impossible.

In attack, there will inevitably be something new: Ousmane Dembélé (knee) is unavailable, while Estéban Lepaul (ankle) hasn't played for two weeks, making his call‑up unlikely. Marcus Thuram could make his return, but the door could also open for the arrival of a newcomer.

For Zinédine Zidane, Ludovic Ajorque is available. For a month, Stade Brestois has been mounting an insistent campaign for Ludovic Ajorque's candidacy. The experienced centre‑forward, thirty‑two years old, is in great shape and has a particular profile that could be of service to the Blues.

The Breton coach Julien Lachuer, as he did after the victory over Angers (5‑1) in early October, again advocated for a selection of his striker, scorer on Monday night at Lorient (0‑2). “We have very great players in France, Ludo is one of them,” Julien Lachuer told Ligue 1+. “We have a superb selector, we must trust him. If he needs him, he will answer. Ludo is a player who makes the team better. He is not a star like some, but he has that understanding of the game and that sense of the collective. If the selector needs a presence, someone who draws the ball and makes others better, Ludo is available.”