Zidane on France’s Win Over Turkey: Mbappé Injury Update and Tactical Review

Zidane Details Tactical Balance and Squad Response After Hard-Fought Debut

Reflecting on his first match in charge of the national team, Zidane acknowledged that the performance was far from flawless but praised his players’ collective commitment following a truncated preparation period consisting of just three and a half training sessions. We are going to continue to improve, but I am happy with this first time.” The former Real Madrid manager emphasized the importance of defensive organization, noting that his team focused on quick ball recovery and maintaining structural integrity whenever possession was lost.

Kylian Mbappé Faces Madrid Return Following Knee Hyperextension

The primary concern for the French technical staff centers on Kylian Mbappé, who suffered a knee injury during the encounter. According to post-match updates provided by the French camp, the Real Madrid forward sustained an hyperextension to his knee while taking a shot. “It’s not going well, unfortunately,” Zidane stated when addressing the forward’s physical status. “It will be necessary for him to return to Madrid. We are not going to take any risks. He made an hyperextension to the knee on the strike. It is not entirely encouraging for him to be able to continue.” Mbappé had started the match deployed on the flank in a tactical setup orchestrated by Zidane and his staff.

Tactical Adjustments: Ousmane Dembélé at Number Nine and Manu Koné in Deep Midfield

Zidane’s initial lineup featured notable positional tweaks that yielded dividends under pressure. Paris Saint-Germain attacker Ousmane Dembélé operated through the center as a number nine, a role he frequently handles at club level. “That doesn’t surprise me, he’s an intelligent player in the way he goes to press,” Zidane remarked of Dembélé’s performance. Meanwhile, midfielder Manu Koné stepped into a deeper defensive shielding role. “It’s not a position in which he usually plays,” Zidane noted of Koné’s display. “He was very good and recovered a lot of balls.” Attacker Estéban Lepaul, who celebrated his first senior international selection during the contest, added that the coaching staff emphasized communication, a 4–3–3 tactical framework, and individual responsibility on the pitch.

Protocol Timing Mix-Up Delays Zidane’s Entry for La Marseillaise

Beyond the tactical shifts and injury setbacks, the evening included a notable administrative hiccup before kickoff when Zidane missed the opening strains of the French national anthem, La Marseillaise. As the stadium atmosphere reached a fever pitch, the manager was still navigating the stadium corridors. “They launched it a bit quickly, the protocol, it was a bit… They told me it was starting, but late,” Zidane explained to journalists, adding that he would have preferred to be present from the very first note. Alongside his staff, including deeply invested former teammate and assistant Fabien Barthez, Zidane maintained an active presence in the technical area throughout the 90 minutes, pacing the sideline rather than remaining seated.

Looking Ahead to Belgium Clash

With the opening victory secured in Group play, the French delegation immediately shifted focus toward their next fixture. Les Bleus are scheduled to face Belgium on Monday, September 28, requiring a swift physical recovery. Zidane stressed that the immediate priority for the squad is rest before preparations begin for what he described as an entirely different tactical challenge against their neighbors.