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Sael Kumbedi Gets the Call! Wolfsburg Starlet Replaces Injured Juventus Defender Pierre Kalulu in France Squad
Saël Kumbedi replaces the Juventus defender after scans showed a left hamstring tear, leaving France short for two Nations League matches.
France defender Pierre Kalulu will miss upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Italy and Turkey after sustaining a left hamstring tear, with the national team confirming Monday he will remain in Turin for treatment.
During Sunday's Serie A match, Kalulu sustained the injury while playing right-back for Juventus against Fiorentina; medical scans later revealed a tear in his left hamstring despite him completing all 90 minutes.
Uncapped right-back Saël Kumbedi of Wolfsburg joins the squad as Kalulu's replacement, marking his first national team call-up ahead of the international break.
Coach Zinedine Zidane's squad currently leads its UEFA Nations League group with three wins in four matches and faces Italy in Milan on Thursday before hosting Turkey in Bordeaux on Sunday.
France needs just one more victory against Italy or Turkey to secure a UEFA Nations League quarterfinal berth, though Kalulu will miss these matches and the chance to add to his international cap count.