In Istanbul, under the lights of a friendly that felt like more than one, Zinedine Zidane found air again. Juventus troubles, a Champions League red card and transfer noise had followed him through a bleak autumn. On 15 November 2000, France’s reigning world and European champions swept Turkey aside 4-0, with Zidane at the centre of an evening that restored some calm.
A difficult autumn for Zidane
- On 24 October, Zidane was sent off after headbutting an opponent during Juventus’ 3-1 Champions League defeat to Hamburg. Juventus subsequently failed to advance from their group.
- The dismissal damaged Zidane’s hopes in the Ballon d’Or race and compounded an already testing spell in Turin.
- Injury then ruled him out of France’s October friendlies: a 1-1 draw with Cameroon and a goalless match against South Africa.
- Before the trip to Turkey, speculation about a possible Juventus departure grew after reports appeared on Zidane’s personal website. He rejected the idea of leaving, saying Juventus were fourth in the league and that he was satisfied with his start to the campaign, apart from the Hamburg incident.
“It was unfortunate that something like that appeared on my own website,” Zidane said. “I am not going anywhere. We are fourth in the championship and I am fairly happy with how my season has started. The only negative was the sending-off against Hamburg. I have to accept it, though I understand why supporters were disappointed.”
France begin a new chapter
The Istanbul fixture came during France’s road towards the 2002 World Cup, but the squad was also adjusting to life after two major figures. Didier Deschamps and Laurent Blanc had ended their international careers after France’s Euro 2000 triumph.
Fabien Barthez, back after injury, admitted their absence was felt. “Not seeing Lolo and Dédé any more feels strange,” he said. “I spoke to Laurent on the phone on Sunday evening and told him, ‘See you tomorrow morning,’ before remembering that he would not be there.”
Youri Djorkaeff did not travel for political reasons. Tensions in Turkey had followed France’s recognition of the Armenian genocide, leaving the forward unavailable for the match.
Roger Lemerre had openly acknowledged Zidane’s club difficulties before kick-off. “Juventus are not doing well, so he cannot be doing well either,” the France coach said.
Zidane and Micoud take control in Istanbul
Johan Micoud was selected alongside Zidane from the start for the first time. It would remain the only match in which the pair began together for France, yet their combination shaped a one-sided night.
- Zidane received applause during the warm-up in an atmosphere far less hostile than might have been expected.
- France quickly took command against Turkey and silenced both their opponents and the home crowd.
- Steve Marlet, called up at short notice after Thierry Henry withdrew, made his senior international debut.
- Micoud scored France’s third goal, the only goal of his international career, as Les Bleus completed a 4-0 victory.
Marlet later recalled the intimidation of arriving among a squad packed with world and European champions. “I joined the group at the stadium two days before the game and it was intimidating,” he said. “On the plane and in the taxi, I kept telling myself not to give the ball away. I did not sense that Zidane was going through a difficult time at all.”
He felt France’s superiority from the first moments. “We were above them, unbeatable,” Marlet said. “You could see fear in the opposition’s eyes as we came out. Once you entered that group, there was such confidence that you knew you would win.”
After the match, Lemerre singled out the two playmakers. “Zidane and Micoud were outstanding technically,” he said.
Micoud said the connection had come naturally. “We found each other well,” he said. “I had known for a long time that we could play together.”
For Zidane, Istanbul did not erase the turbulence at Juventus. But for one November evening, France’s golden generation made the noise around him fade into the background.
