France vs. Belgium: Michael Olise Shines as Zinédine Zidane Secures Second Win

Zidane’s Tactical Adjustments and the Search for Fluidity

Zinédine Zidane’s return to the Stade Roi Baudouin—a venue where he delivered a landmark performance during Euro 2000—saw him overhaul his starting lineup. Only goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender Lacroix remained from the team that faced Turkey. The manager handed starting debuts to Jacquet, Lepaul, Diouf, and Lucas Da Cunha. Da Cunha, the Como captain, was utilized in a central midfield role, showcasing the tactical intelligence and dynamism that Zidane has identified as essential for the current French setup. Despite these changes, the team struggled with fluidity, often relying on moments of individual brilliance to overcome organized opposition.

Eduardo Camavinga’s Midfield Stability

Eduardo Camavinga played the full 90 minutes against Belgium, signaling a significant show of faith from his manager. Having faced scrutiny regarding his consistency at both the club and international levels, the Real Madrid midfielder adopted a self-critical tone during pre-match press availability. He acknowledged that his primary challenge is maintaining focus throughout the match to avoid unforced errors. Under Zidane’s guidance, Camavinga appeared more composed and effective in possession, providing a necessary physical and technical anchor in the middle of the park.

Offensive Contributions in the Absence of Kylian Mbappé

With Kylian Mbappé sidelined by a tendon injury in his left knee, Désiré Doué took on a primary attacking role. He frequently troubled the Belgian defense with aggressive dribbling and creative runs, though he was unable to convert his chances into a goal. Other attacking options, including Barcola and Lepaul, found less space and were eventually replaced by Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise. Olise’s impact from the bench proved to be the difference-maker, confirming his ability to provide the individual creativity Zidane’s side requires when collective play falters.

Team Performance Trends

France’s performance against Belgium followed a pattern similar to their victory over Turkey. While the team showed promising phases of play, they struggled to maintain intensity across both halves. Zidane’s squad has demonstrated a reliance on individual talent to resolve matches when the collective attacking rhythm slows. This trend highlights the ongoing work required to refine the team’s tactical cohesion, though the emergence of new, high-impact players offers a positive outlook for the remainder of the international cycle.

Upcoming Schedule

The French national team continues its preparation under Zinédine Zidane as they look to build on these two early victories.