Upamecano Returns to Bayern After France Red Card Rules Him Out of Belgium Clash
Dayot Upamecano has left the France camp and returned to Bayern Munich after his late dismissal against Italy ensured he will miss Monday’s UEFA Nations League fixture with Belgium at the Stade de France.
The 27-year-old centre-back was shown a second yellow card in the closing five minutes of the 1-1 draw in Saint-Denis after hauling back Moise Kean. The sending-off carries a mandatory one-match ban, leaving him unavailable for France’s next match. He was released from the squad at Clairefontaine at 9:30am on Saturday and travelled back to Munich.
France had been on course to mark Zinedine Zidane’s return to home soil with a victory after Michael Olise put the hosts ahead with a superb free-kick. Alessandro Bastoni levelled for Italy, however, and the draw prevented Zidane from matching a notable start: no France manager since Henri Michel in 1984 had begun with three straight wins without conceding. Kylian Mbappe, sidelined by an ankle problem, was missed as the home side struggled for a decisive attacking edge.
Bayern gain an earlier defensive return
Upamecano’s departure is inconvenient for France but gives Vincent Kompany an additional period with the defender before Bayern resume their club programme. The centre-back completed the full match in the opening 1-0 victory in Turkiye, then sat out another 1-0 win in Belgium before returning to the starting side against Italy.
Bayern face Augsburg away on Saturday, October 10, in their fifth Bundesliga match of the season. Kompany’s side are second, two points behind early leaders Borussia Dortmund, and will be looking to maintain contact at the top while managing their defensive resources through a busy autumn across league and European competition.
