The lights were back on at the Stade de France, but France were left with the familiar frustration of a match that seemed to be tilting their way before finishing level. Zinédine Zidane praised his players after Friday’s 1-1 Nations League draw with Italy, insisting the performance offered more encouragement than the result.
France felt they should have taken more from the evening after failing to convert the chance that could have brought a second goal. Zidane was pleased with the substance of the display, even if the final score left a bitter edge.
“I am happy with what we produced, but not with the result because I believe we deserved more,” he said. “We had the opportunity to score a second goal and did not take it. That happens, but I am extremely proud of my players. Apart from the result, I can only be satisfied.”
The draw extended an unwanted run: France have now gone seven consecutive matches without scoring in the first half. Zidane rejected the idea that his side had become overly concerned with playing perfectly, instead pointing to a lack of penetration near the Italian penalty area.
“What was missing was runs in behind in the final 30 metres,” he explained. “We did not exploit the small spaces, and that is something we did much better at the beginning of the second half, when we caused them problems. That is why it is frustrating.”
Italy’s equaliser brought questions over the roles of Adrien Rabiot and Lucas Da Cunha, but Zidane refused to isolate either player. For the France coach, the mistake belonged to the collective rather than one individual.
“Football is about trying to make as few mistakes as possible,” he said. “You are there to analyse it, but for me the most important thing is the whole match. I can be happy with that. I will not get into deciding whose fault it was. When there is an error, it is everyone’s responsibility.”
France have scored only three goals across their last three matches, yet Zidane also saw signs that the attacking return can improve. Gianluigi Donnarumma, he said, had played a major part in keeping the score down after France created several opportunities.
“We created quite a lot of chances, but Donnarumma was very good,” Zidane added. “I know we will improve. I will be frustrated when this comes to an end, but we are not at club level.”
The occasion also carried a personal weight for Zidane on his return to the Stade de France. He described the reception and setting as magnificent, while admitting that a victory for the home crowd would have completed the night.
