Lens left-back Matthieu Udol still chasing a France call-up

Zinedine Zidane named his first France squad on 18 September, three hours before Lens travelled to Monaco. Matthieu Udol was not on it. The left-back scored that night in a 1-2 defeat. “Having that hope and then a disappointment at the end of it gave me extra motivation, and I let it all out on my goal,” he told L’Équipe.

Thirty, with Truffert ahead of him

Zidane has gone younger. In the position he trusts Adrien Truffert, 24, and Andy Diouf, 23, moved onto the flank from midfield. Only two players in their thirties made the squad, Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot, both 31. Udol, 30, came through Metz, has four cruciate ligament ruptures behind him and was still playing in Ligue 2 two years ago. Last season he laid on seven assists and lifted the Coupe de France with a Lens side that finished second. Foot Mercato reads his words as messages to the coach; none of his quotes names Zidane.

“Knock on the door”

The goal is now out in the open: “It has become a goal, but I am not under pressure because I am also aware of where I come from,” he told L’Équipe. On Friday he scored and was then sent off against Lyon (2-1). On Tuesday Lens host Sporting in the Champions League, their first European match under Yannick Cahuzac. “There is an international break coming soon, and before it a run of matches at the very highest level. It is up to me to perform to knock on the door again.”

Troyes on Saturday

The red card from Friday could also weigh on Saturday’s trip to Troyes on 17 October, Lens’s next league match: I think it may cost them their left-back. The market makes Lens favourites, roughly one chance in two (1.87 at 1xbet at the last odds checked): 10th on 7 points against a Troyes side 17th on 4, with four league defeats in a row.