Michael Olise turned the final night of France’s international camp with a dazzling substitute appearance, scoring twice and supplying an assist as Zinédine Zidane’s side ended the gathering with a victory and 10 points from four matches.
The Bayern Munich forward arrived after the hour and helped reshape a match that had lacked penetration before the break. Zidane praised the collective reaction, while reserving particular admiration for Olise’s latest decisive display.
Asked whether Olise could be considered the best player in the world, Zidane laughed before answering: “There is nothing to say. What he is doing is simply exceptional.”
A stronger finish after a blunt first half
Zidane felt France had not been poor in the opening period, but said his players had struggled to make their possession count in the decisive areas.
“The second half changed a great deal compared with the first,” he said. “There was not everything to throw away, but we lacked impact in the final metres, as we have in our other matches too.”
The coach was pleased with the response from his squad, stressing that the improvement could not be credited solely to the replacements. Olise’s contribution was the most eye-catching, however, with his two goals and assist carrying France through a much more convincing final hour.
“It was the reaction of everybody, not only the players who came on,” Zidane said. “We finish the camp on a very, very positive note. It would have been disappointing not to end with a win.”
Yoro takes his chance on debut
Leny Yoro also emerged from the camp with encouragement after an impressive first appearance for France. The young defender was called up after Ibrahima Konaté was lost, and Zidane said the coaching staff had immediately wanted Yoro as his replacement.
“There are plenty of players in that position, but when we lost Konaté, we immediately wanted to bring in Leny,” Zidane said. “I am happy for him because he had a big game and fulfilled his role well.”
Zidane said he was delighted for the younger members of the group, while declining to reveal whether he has already formed a preferred starting XI for the next international window.
Restes gains valuable international experience
Guillaume Restes was another newcomer to receive an opportunity, with the goalkeeper given minutes to experience senior international football rather than training alone.
Zidane rated Restes highly both in the match and across the entire camp. He also praised Mike Maignan and Jean Butez, saying all three goalkeepers had worked well.
“Guillaume was excellent, not only in the match but throughout the camp,” Zidane said. “My three goalkeepers were excellent. Even Jean Butez was impeccable in his work.”
The decision to use Restes was made with future contingencies in mind, Zidane explained. “He needs to feel what it means to play for France, not just in training but on the pitch in a match, in case something happens with Mike.”
Zidane pleased with first camp
The France coach described the 15-day gathering as productive, with the team collecting 10 points and finishing on a win. He said there remains work to do, particularly in getting more players into the penalty area to improve attacking efficiency.
“I am happy because, in terms of points, we have 10 and that is very good,” Zidane said. “I have the satisfaction of having done good work with the staff and the players. We had 15 quality days.”
He added that improvement would come with time, before admitting that leaving the squad after his first camp would bring a brief sense of frustration. Zidane intends to continue monitoring his players at club level.
For the former France captain, the defining moment of the gathering came before the matches. “My best memory was seeing my players at Clairefontaine for the first time,” he said. “I chose this job and dreamed of it.”
Zidane was also touched by the presence of Aimé Jacquet, describing the 1998 World Cup-winning coach as a figure of kindness. He said he was particularly pleased Jacquet had made the trip, knowing that he does not go out often.
