Zinédine Zidane has identified set pieces as an area for improvement since taking charge of the France national football team, according to a report published by Foot Mercato. The manager has entrusted much of this development work to assistant coach David Bettoni, who places heavy emphasis on dead-ball scenarios as Les Bleus look to sharpen their efficiency on the international stage.
Zinédine Zidane Assigns David Bettoni to Set-Piece Duties
The coaching staff has not yet enjoyed sufficient training hours on the pitch to fully overhaul the team’s set-piece routines since taking over the squad, Zidane acknowledged. Even so, the former Real Madrid manager regards dead-ball situations as a crucial pillar for competitive success. We haven’t had too much time to work on our set pieces yet, but it’s a very important aspect for me, of course.
Contrast With Real Madrid Success and Tactical Adjustments
During his tenure at Real Madrid, Zidane turned set pieces into a devastating offensive weapon. That success relied heavily on elite technical specialists including Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Sergio Ramos, and Cristiano Ronaldo. With France, the manager faces a different player pool and must construct new tactical solutions from scratch. During the recent match against Italy, the French technical staff experimented by positioning several attacking players outside the penalty area during corners to better utilize their individual technical abilities.
Upcoming Tests at the Stade de France
The tactical reflection regarding dead-ball organization continues as the squad prepares for upcoming fixtures. This ongoing evolution in training aims to make Les Bleus considerably more clinical in the opposition box. The team has targeted further refinement in these phases ahead of their match against Belgium at the Stade de France.
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