Zinédine Zidane’s first night as France coach ended with a win in Turkey, but the detail that pleased him most was not simply the result. After only three and a half training sessions, Les Bleus showed the urgency he wanted when possession was lost.
France handled a difficult surface to begin Zidane’s reign with victory, leaving the new head coach encouraged by the balance in his side. He said there was plenty still to improve, while stressing that the opening display offered “many very interesting things”.
Quick facts
- France won Zidane’s first match as head coach, away in Turkey.
- The squad had completed only three and a half training sessions before the game.
- Zidane highlighted France’s high pressing and rapid reactions after losing the ball.
- Manu Koné was used in a holding midfield role and received praise for his balance.
- Ousmane Dembélé was singled out for his intelligent pressing.
- Zidane became the first France manager since Aimé Jacquet to win his opening match.
Zidane said his players had carried out the collective message delivered during a long matchday: enjoy the occasion, stay united and make the required sacrifices for one another. He felt the team had done exactly that.
The former midfielder placed particular emphasis on the organisation after turnovers. France know they can be effective in possession, he said, but must also be strong without the ball. Against Turkey, he believed his side maintained that necessary equilibrium throughout.
The high press was a central feature of the performance. Zidane was pleased with the way his players pushed up the pitch, looked to win possession back quickly and avoided losing their shape in the process.
Koné’s contribution drew special attention because the midfielder is not usually deployed as the deepest player in midfield. Zidane said he had wanted to test that aspect of the player’s game and judged the experiment a success, particularly in the way Koné helped preserve the side’s balance.
Dembélé also earned a positive verdict. Zidane said the forward’s work without the ball did not surprise him, describing him as an intelligent presser within a wider team effort.
There was one small mishap before kick-off, with Zidane arriving late for the opening of La Marseillaise after the pre-match protocol moved faster than he expected. He said he would have preferred to be in place from the beginning.
On the touchline, however, the new coach looked entirely at home. Zidane said he remains more comfortable standing than sitting, close to the action and close to his players.
He accepted that France’s performance was far from complete, but the result gave his work an immediate lift. “We are competitors and we always want to win,” he said, with recovery now the priority before the next stage of his first international camp.
