France left Izmit with a 1-0 Nations League win over Turkey on Friday, but Jules Koundé’s first impression of Zinédine Zidane’s reign was not one of dressing-room thunder. In a demanding away setting, the new France coach stayed composed and asked his players to keep playing.
Koundé said the result mattered most after a short preparation period, with France having had only three training sessions before Zidane’s first match in charge. Kylian Mbappé scored the decisive goal after France forced a turnover high up the pitch.
France respond to Turkey’s intensity
The right-back described Turkey as an aggressive, technically capable side and said France had matched that edge in Izmit. He felt the visitors grew more assured after the interval, when they held the ball more effectively and began to exploit the spaces left by a Turkish team eager to press forward.
“We did the job,” Koundé said. “It was not easy. This is a difficult trip and they are a very aggressive team, one that can play well when given the opportunity. We showed plenty of aggression ourselves.”
He explained that France had expected Turkey’s physical output to fade if they could retain possession for longer spells. That became more evident in the second half, while a sequence of pressing actions helped create the opening from which Mbappé finished.
“We knew that if we kept the ball better, which we did in the second half, they would tire and spaces would open up,” Koundé said. “They want to come and press. We managed two or three good pressing sequences, including for the goal, created the chance and Kylian finished it very well.”
Zidane’s early tactical message
There was limited time for Zidane to impose his ideas before the match, but Koundé said the squad had worked extensively on their structure, particularly in the seconds immediately after losing possession.
France were instructed to hunt the ball collectively during the first 10 seconds after a turnover, aiming to win it back high and turn recoveries into chances. In possession, the emphasis was on using the full width of the pitch to pull opponents apart.
“We worked on a number of tactical details despite the little time we had,” Koundé said. “We tried to put things in place, especially our pressing after losing the ball: going to win it back, making the effort in the first 10 seconds to recover it high up and create opportunities.”
He added that the entire side had contributed without the ball, while the attacking quality available gave France different options. Mbappé started on the left, alongside Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembélé in an attacking trio Koundé called exceptional.
“We know they can adapt, and Kylian can play in that position,” he said.
Calm response from the new coach
Koundé said Zidane did not react with anger during the contest. Instead, the coach encouraged his players to persist with their football and accept that the match required patience and hard work.
“He was not angry, he was very calm,” Koundé said. “He told us to keep trying, keep playing, and that it was a match we had to work through.”
Defensively, France had to guard against a Turkish side eager to attack quickly and directly in transition. Koundé praised the central defensive partnership and highlighted Manu Koné’s role in protecting the balance of the side when France lost possession.
“We were very attentive,” Koundé said. “Our two centre-backs were very solid, and Manu was responsible for maintaining the balance and staying alert when we lost the ball. There are still things to improve, but overall we produced something coherent defensively.”
