France national team coach Zinédine Zidane plans to rotate his squad for the upcoming fixture against the Red Devils on Monday, October 5, 2026, while expressing disappointment over the suspension of Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne. Exactly one week after securing a 1-0 victory in Brussels courtesy of a goal from Michael Olise, the French manager prepares for the second encounter in a busy international window.
Zidane Details Squad Rotation Plans in Brussels Aftermath
Addressing reporters during his pre-match press conference, Zinédine Zidane confirmed that changes to his starting lineup are imminent. The French coach oversees a 23-man roster and stated his intention to utilize the depth available within the national setup.
“There will certainly be changes, yes,” Zidane said. “We are 23, I want to use everyone. We are going to make smart changes to stay competitive for this match.”
While refusing to name specific starters ahead of kickoff, the manager emphasized that internal competition remains high across the squad. The approach mirrors his strategy from the reverse fixture in Brussels, where France ultimately broke the deadlock through Michael Olise.
Reacting to Belgium’s Suspensions and De Bruyne Absence
Belgium enters Monday’s fixture facing mandatory alterations due to player discipline. Both Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne picked up suspensions, removing two central figures from the Belgian midfield.
Although the absences might appear beneficial to France’s prospects, Zidane offered a surprising perspective on De Bruyne’s unavailability. “I actually would have preferred Kevin to be there,” the coach remarked. “Everyone likes to watch good football, don’t they?”
Despite the playmaker’s absence, Zidane warned his players against underestimating the opposition. “Ah, other players will take over,” he said. “They still have a lot of quality, and I know tomorrow’s match will be difficult despite his absence.”
Addressing the Cristiano Ronaldo Discourse
Beyond preparations for the Red Devils, the French manager fielded questions regarding Cristiano Ronaldo amid ongoing sports media attention surrounding the Portuguese forward’s career.
Reflecting on his time managing the star at Real Madrid, Zidane praised his former player’s legacy. “We must honor his impressive career,” Zidane said with a smile. “I had the good fortune to have him by my side in Madrid. Thanks to him, I achieved unbelievable success. I have a lot of respect for Cristiano.”
With those remarks concluded, the former midfielder shifted the focus back to Les Bleus and their ongoing competitive objectives.
Zidane Praises France Mentality Before Belgium Match
France enters the fixture carrying the momentum from their 1-0 win in the capital last week. Zidane stressed that his squad retains its competitive drive regardless of the narrow margin in the previous result.
“Do we only settle for a victory in that? We naturally always want to win, we are competitors,” Zidane stated. “But the most important thing is that we prepare well for the match and feel comfortable on the pitch. So far, in any case, I am very satisfied with the mentality.”
The second fixture between France and Belgium takes place on Monday evening, October 5, 2026, giving the visiting squad an immediate opportunity to respond to the manager’s tactical adjustments.
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