The 35-year-old Giroud, France's second-top all-time scorer, has had more playing time since joining AC Milan from Chelsea, but was not included in the squad for the second consecutive time after missing the World Cup qualifiers earlier this month. However, Les Bleus, who face Belgium in the semi-finals next Thursday at the Juventus Stadium in Turin, welcome back defenders Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard, who feature with their Bayern Munich team mate Dayot Upamecano. Olympique de Marseille midfielder Matteo Guendouzi was called up as Chelsea's Ngolo Kante is missing after testing positive for COVID-19. It's best for him that he uses that period to recover his physical freshness," Deschamps said. Keeper Steve Mandanda was omitted after losing his spot in the starting lineup at Marseille, with Benoit Costil coming in.

Source: bd News24 September 30, 2021 13:30 UTC