Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines (France) (AFP)
Midfielder Blaise Matuidi, injured on Sunday in club club Juventus Turin, has withdrawn with the team of France for the end of qualifying for the Euro-2020 against Moldova and Albania, announced the Federation French (FFF) Monday.
The Turinese did not come to Clairefontaine to make note his injury, contracted during the match against AC Milan (1-0) and that had forced him to be replaced: "The examinations practiced Monday morning in Turin confirmed an injury which made it impossible for Blaise Matuidi to be on the pitch on Thursday and Sunday, "the FFF said.
The former Parisian, 32, had not missed the least rally since exactly five years with the Blues, in 2014.
"Unfortunately I am sorry for this rally, but certain that the team of France will seek the qualifier." Already anxious to return for the next deadlines, "he reacted on Twitter.
The coach Didier Deschamps has decided to call in his place the Arsenal player Mattéo Guendouzi, initially summoned with the Espoirs, as in September when he had to replace Paul Pogba.
Guendouzi, 20, had not had a minute of play in September against Albania (4-1) and Andorra (3-0), Deschamps preferring to offer his first two selections to the other "new kid" of his list, the Lillois Jonathan Ikoné.
Uncertainty still hangs over the state of health of another midfielder called in Blue, Tanguy Ndombélé, released at half-time Saturday in club with Tottenham for a "pain in the groin".
The Blues gather at Clairefontaine Monday around 16:00, and have a first training scheduled at 17:30.
© 2019 AFP