Didier Deschamps says Kylian Mbappe is "going through a period that is not the happiest of his career", which is why he is not included in France's Nations League squad. (More Sports News)
Les Bleus were frustrated on Thursday as they were held tꩲo a 0-0 draw by Israel in front of a record-worst atteꦦndance at the Stade de France.
Despite the disjointed 🍃performance, France booked their place in the quarter-fina🍃l of the Nations League with a game to spare.
However, post-match dis෴cussions came back around to 🃏Mbappe's absence and Deschamps' decision to leave him out of the squad.
Mbappe has scored eight g♈oals in 15 appearances since joining Real Madrid, but he has hit the back of the net just once in his last six outings. Deschamps reiterated that he believed leaving his captain at home was the best decision for the player during this international break.
"He's not here, so I'll tell you what𝓀 I already said. Leave him alone," Deschamps said. "I said what I had to say.
"Som𒐪etimes it's good not to say too much. There's no sanction. It's factual. He's in a complicated si🐼tuation, I'm behind him.
"He's going through a period that's not the happiest of his career. Despite everything, he wanted to come. I think it's better for him at the moment. Everyone has the right to have💜 a complicated ꧋period.
"There's the physical aspect, the psychological aspect too. There are constant interpretations, whether I speak or I don't speak. So, I'm careful to weigh my words. Either I say something, or I 🧔say nothing. I didn't say anything but I'm not going to get into debates."
France dominated against Israel, ha🍬ving 24 sꦑhots, eight of which were on target, as they created 2.22 expected goals.
They also 🍃had 72 touches in the opposition box, compared to the visitors' two, and 🦂94 final third entries, though they struggled to find a way through a resolute Israel side.
De💝schamps was frustrated by the lack of goals in particular and expects to make changes for their final Nations League group stage match against Italy on Sunday.
"I can't be satisfied with what we🌊 produced. We should have won. We're capable of doing better," Deschamps added.
"We could have done more against an opponent that was very compact and wasted a lot of time. We had the chances to win, but we weren't efficient 👍enough. There was much more energy in the second half, but we still couldn't score.
"I need to take stock. Ther🔯e will definitely be some changes.
"I'll wait until the final train🦹ing session on🐓 Saturday. Playing three days later is never easy, and there's fatigue, which is normal and not an excuse, but the players' bodies are under strain."
