Michael Olise delivered a standout performance for France, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Belgium after manager Zinédine Zidane rotated nine players from his starting lineup.
Zidane’s Tactical Rotation Yields Results
Manager Zinédine Zidane made nine changes to his starting eleven for the match in Belgium, a decision intended to provide playing opportunities across the squad. The French press noted a wave of fresh energy within the team, highlighting several debutants who earned their first international starts.
Olise’s Decisive Goal and International Acclaim
Michael Olise began the fixture on the bench before entering to inject momentum into the French attack. His goal arrived via a shoulder control at full speed, followed by a controlled run under pressure and a precise finish into the corner of the net. French sports daily L’Equipe described the moment as a flash of brilliance, while Spanish publication Sport compared his influence to that of Kylian Mbappé. In Italy, sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport labeled him unplayable ahead of France’s upcoming match against the Azzurri.
Newcomers Earn First International Starts
The fixture in Belgium marked the first senior international starts for four French players: Lucas Da Cunha, Andy Diouf, Jérémy Jacquet, and Esteban Lepaul. Da Cunha performed with assurance in midfield and hit the goalframe with a driven shot. Jacquet maintained a steady trajectory following early-season form at Liverpool, while Diouf handled possession cleanly despite occasional positional adjustments on the left flank. Lepaul put in a willing shift but faced challenges finding space and maintaining technical consistency against a disciplined Belgian defense.
Italy Prepares for Stade de France After Victory in Turkey
While France managed a tight victory in Brussels, Italy responded to a prior defeat by defeating Turkey 4-1. Goals from Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi, Michael Kayode, and Pio Esposito secured a comprehensive win for the Azzurri. Manager Roberto Mancini expressed satisfaction with the squad’s performance, pointing to high pressing and ball retention as key factors. The result sets up an upcoming fixture between France and Italy at the Stade de France.
