Zinédine Zidane a débuté son mandat à la tête de l’équipe de France en guidant la sélection lors d’une campagne de Ligue des nations au début de l’automne. Following a narrow victory over Belgium and a prior win against Turkey, the former Real Madrid boss has quickly dismantled old conventions while fielding youthful lineups.
Zidane’s Imprint on the French Squad
The appointment of Zinédine Zidane on July 28, following Didier Deschamps’ departure after 14 years in charge, has brought an immediate shift in both personnel and tactical structure. That tactical adjustment paid off in the 54th minute when Mbappé scored his 67th international goal in his 107th appearance, though the captain sustained a left knee tendon lesion that forced him off the pitch.
Zidane’s hands-on managerial style has also broken from his predecessor’s routines. Observers noted the 1998 Ballon d’Or winner actively participating in pre-match warm-ups by delivering crosses to his players—a task previously delegated entirely to the coaching staff. Clad entirely in black on the touchline, Zidane maintained an energetic presence, shouting instructions and reacting visibly to on-field sequences.
European Media Reaction to the New Look Bleus
European sports outlets have closely tracked the early evolution of France’s playing style under the new coach. Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport observed that France is growing even without Mbappé, identifying several core tactical principles emerging under the manager: maintaining possession, pressing high to win back the ball, quick circulation, and utilizing central midfield runs alongside attacking talent.
In Germany, the tabloid Bild described a 1-0 victory as entirely deserved based on France’s second-half dominance, specifically highlighting the play of Bayern Munich star Michael Olise. Spanish daily Marca focused on the emotional and symbolic tone of the touchline, detailing Zidane’s animated celebration following a late decisive moment crafted by Olise against Belgium.
Squad Rotation and Roster Depth
Facing Belgium, Zidane made nine changes to his starting lineup, introducing several players who had yet to earn substantial senior caps, including Jérémy Jacquet, Andy Diouf, and Lucas Da Cunha. Belgian media outlets reflected on the nature of the defeat, with La Libre noting that the Red Devils were tested by France’s secondary selection, while Le Soir characterized the Belgian performance as courageous during a transitional phase under new coach Mark van Bommel.
Despite the youthful rotation, France extended its unbeaten run in official matches against Belgium, building on a competitive history that stretches back decades. The fixture traffic for Les Bleus remains heavy as the autumn schedule unfolds across upcoming matches in the Nations League group stage.
Upcoming Fixtures and Schedule
France continues its demanding September and October schedule with upcoming fixtures in the UEFA Nations League, including a high-profile return match against Belgium at the Stade de France and an anticipated encounter against Italy.
Worth a look
