Two surprise players called up for Les Bleus

France head coach Zinédine Zidane has called up two surprise players to replace injured squad members: Pablo Pagis from Paris FC and Saël Kumbedi from Wolfsburg. These call-ups mark a first since 2007.

Pagis, a 21-year-old playmaker who is having a remarkable start to the season with PFC, joined the team for the first time after being contacted early this morning. He spoke about his journey and his pride in reaching this milestone.

Kumbedi, a right-back for Wolfsburg in Germany, is the first player playing in the German second division to be called up to the Bleus since David Trezeguet in 2007. He replaced Pierre Kalulu, who has a hamstring injury.

Zidane considers the under-21 team a true stepping stone for the senior squad, and Kumbedi is a key figure there. The Bleus will play against Italy on Thursday in Milan and then Turkey on Sunday in Bordeaux.