Van Bommel tests Zidane without Kylian Mbappé in Brussels

At the King Baudouin Stadium, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation when, this Monday, Mark van Bommel and Zinedine Zidane faced each other in the second round of Group A1 of the Nations League. France, newly debuted under Zidane's leadership after beating Turkey 0‑1, faces a Belgium that is also celebrating its first step as a national team manager, with Van Bommel in charge.

Absences and tactical adjustments

Zidane approaches the match without Kylian Mbappé, who was injured and returned to Madrid, leaving him out of the squad. The French coach told the media that “we must improve and we will improve,” and confirmed that he will make changes to the lineup against Belgium.

For his part, Van Bommel, former Real Madrid coach who replaced Didier Deschamps on the French bench, said he will also make adjustments. His debut as Belgium’s manager came on Friday with a 0‑2 victory over Italy, and now he aims to maintain the attacking line he used against the Italians.

The Belgian starting eleven includes Lammens; Castagne, Ngoy, Debast, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Lavia; Lukebakio, De Bruyne, Moreira; De Ketelaere, under the direction of Van Bommel. France, led by Zidane, has options such as Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Lacroix, Diouf or Truffert; Camavinga, Cherki, Rabiot; Olise, Doué or Dembélé, Barcola, with Rade Obrenovic (Slovenia) as referee.

Zidane replaces Cherki, starts Da Cunha, Bleus excluded after Belgium

The newspaper L’Équipe hinted that Désiré Doué, who replaced Mbappé in the 59th minute against Turkey, could start up front, pushing Ousmane Dembélé out. Zidane, in a press conference, stated that Dembélé “will not be a starter in every match.”

The French attack could be formed with Michael Olise, Doué and Barcola, while the Belgian side boasts the brilliance of Mika Godts, who shone against Italy.

Van Bommel recalled that, as a player, he had faced the French national team once with Barça against Real Madrid, and expressed his satisfaction at measuring himself against Zidane on this occasion.

Zidane relies on Kalulu's instinct to improve the French

In an isolated fact, it is mentioned that Klopp suffered his first defeat as Germany’s manager against Greece, and that in June 2025 a 1‑1 draw was recorded, although with no direct relation to today’s match.