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.



Bayern Says Kane’s Ankle Injury Is Not as Bad as Initially Feared

 Munich's Harry Kane passes the ball past Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (dpa via AP)
Munich's Harry Kane passes the ball past Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (dpa via AP)
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Bayern Says Kane’s Ankle Injury Is Not as Bad as Initially Feared

 Munich's Harry Kane passes the ball past Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (dpa via AP)
Munich's Harry Kane passes the ball past Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (dpa via AP)

Bayern Munich star Harry Kane’s left ankle injury is not as serious as initially feared, the Bundesliga club said.

“Examinations by the club’s medical unit on Sunday determined a positive development,” the Bavarian powerhouse said. “Kane will continue to receive appropriate treatment.”

The club did not say whether Kane will be fit for Bayern’s visit to Aston Villa in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old forward limped off the field late in Bayern’s 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga on Saturday after getting a knock to the ankle in a tussle for the ball with Leverkusen’s Amine Adli.

Kane failed to have a shot at goal against Leverkusen but has been instrumental in Bayern’s attack again this season. He scored five goals and set up six more in the first four league games, while scoring four goals in the 9-2 win over Dinamo Zagreb in the club's opening Champions League game.

He also scored in Bayern’s opening German Cup match.