Zinédine Zidane takes charge of the French national football team at the Stade de France for the first time on Friday, facing Italy in the Nations League just months after succeeding Didier Deschamps. The world semifinalists enter the fixture following away victories in September, despite missing injured captain Kylian Mbappé.
Zidane Returns to Saint-Denis in Technical Rota
Friday evening marks Zinédine Zidane’s managerial debut at the Stade de France, the venue where he secured legendary status by scoring twice in the 1998 World Cup final against Brazil. Appointed on July 28, the former playmaker returns to the Saint-Denis pitch where he experienced defining moments of his playing career, from the stadium’s inaugural match against Spain in January 1998 to his final international appearance against Mexico in May 2006. The manager described the occasion as a significant emotional milestone, noting his intent to write a new chapter with the squad.
Television audiences tuned in strongly for his opening fixtures, drawing 6.8 million viewers for a 1-0 win in Turkey on September 25 and 6.3 million viewers for a 1-0 victory against Belgium three days later, according to Médiamétrie data. Those results established an early tactical identity centered on ball retention and the integration of younger personnel.
Zidane Rotates Squad as Mbappé Misses Fixture
Zidane implemented sweeping changes for the trip to Brussels, deploying a heavily rotated and youthful starting lineup that secured a narrow win. The manager expressed astonishment at the adaptability of his squad, which retains the core of the group that reached the World Cup semifinals. Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise headline the returning senior contingent after sitting out the Brussels fixture, with Olise arriving off the bench in Belgium to score a decisive individual goal.
Captain Kylian Mbappé misses the fixture due to a left knee injury sustained after scoring against Turkey. The Ballon d’Or 2025 winner is expected to inherit the captain’s armband in Mbappé’s absence. The Paris-based forward, who recorded six goals during the 2026 World Cup, is slated to operate either as a central striker or in a false-nine role comparable to his club assignments.
Rebuilding Nazionale Tests French Momentum
Italy arrives in Saint-Denis under the direction of Roberto Mancini as the squad attempts to reconstruct after missing three consecutive World Cups. The Azzurri arrive with winning momentum after registering a 4-1 victory over Turkey. The fixture revives historic rivalries, recalling the conclusion of Zidane’s playing career during the 2006 World Cup final, where he opened the scoring with a penalty before his departure involving Marco Materazzi following a five-year spell with Juventus.
The fixture at the Stade de France kicks off local time under sold-out conditions, with global broadcast arrangements reflecting high international interest in the Nations League group stage match.
Worth a look
