France Defense Hit by Injuries Ahead of European Qualifier Against the Netherlands 

Barcelona's Jules Kounde sits injured on the pitch during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Granada CF and FC Barcelona in Granada, Spain, 08 October 2023. (EPA)
Barcelona's Jules Kounde sits injured on the pitch during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Granada CF and FC Barcelona in Granada, Spain, 08 October 2023. (EPA)
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France Defense Hit by Injuries Ahead of European Qualifier Against the Netherlands 

Barcelona's Jules Kounde sits injured on the pitch during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Granada CF and FC Barcelona in Granada, Spain, 08 October 2023. (EPA)
Barcelona's Jules Kounde sits injured on the pitch during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Granada CF and FC Barcelona in Granada, Spain, 08 October 2023. (EPA)

Malo Gusto and Axel Disasi have been called up as injury replacements ahead of France’s match against the Netherlands in qualifying for the European Championship.

The two players replace defenders Jules Kounde and Dayot Upamecano, the French soccer federation said on Monday as the French squad gathered at the team’s training camp outside Paris.

France takes on the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Friday. Les Bleus will then host Scotland in a friendly game in the northern city of Lille on Oct. 17.

Kounde picked up a left knee injury while playing for Barcelona in the Spanish league on Sunday. Upamecano injured his left hamstring this weekend with Bayern Munich.

Their withdrawals follow that of Arsenal defender William Saliba, who was replaced Sunday by Jean-Clair Todibo in France’s squad.

France leads Group B and will qualify for the tournament hosted by Germany next year if it beats the Netherlands, or if they draw and Greece loses against Ireland.



Coach Murray and Djokovic Part Ways Ahead of French Open

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 26, 2025 Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his round of 64 match against Italy's Matteo Arnaldi REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 26, 2025 Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his round of 64 match against Italy's Matteo Arnaldi REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo
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Coach Murray and Djokovic Part Ways Ahead of French Open

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 26, 2025 Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his round of 64 match against Italy's Matteo Arnaldi REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Madrid Open - Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain - April 26, 2025 Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during his round of 64 match against Italy's Matteo Arnaldi REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo

Andy Murray will no longer coach 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, with the pair's high-profile partnership coming to an end after only six months, the Briton's team announced on Tuesday.

Djokovic appointed fellow former world number one Murray ahead of this year's Australian Open and the Serb said at the Qatar Open in February that he would continue working with Murray for an indefinite period.

However, the partnership will now end as Djokovic looks to arrest a dip in form during the clay season by competing in the Geneva Open next week, ahead of his quest for a fourth French Open title when Roland Garros gets underway on May 25, Reuters reported.

"Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months," Murray said in a statement.

"I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season."

Djokovic, who won 25 of his 36 matches against Murray, said he was grateful for his former rival's hard work and support in their short spell together.

"I really enjoyed deepening our friendship together," Djokovic added.