Zinedine Zidane, the legendary French footballer and former Real Madrid coach, has made a promising start as the head coach of the French national team. In his first four games, he led the team to three wins and a draw in the UEFA Nations League. Zidane's debut game ended in a win, making him the first French head coach to achieve this since Aime Jacquet in 1994. His team secured victories over Turkey and Belgium twice, and played to a draw with Italy.
Zidane expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance over the 15-day international window. He praised his team's hard work and quality, stating that it's encouraging and he's optimistic about the future. The team's progress is notable, with Zidane becoming the first French head coach to go unbeaten in the first four games since Raymond Domenech in 2004. His tactics and the impact of his substitutes have been key factors in the team's success.
In their second game against Belgium, France dominated possession with an average of 62%. However, the team struggled to create scoring chances, particularly in the final third during the first half. Zidane acknowledged that his team lacked penetration in the final thirty meters, which hindered their performance. The absence of captain Kylian Mbappe, who was injured after scoring against Turkey, was also felt.
The French team's character was evident as their substitutes made a significant impact in the second half of the game against Belgium. Bayern Munich's Michael Olise provided an assist and scored twice, while Désiré Doué and Rayan Cherki also found the net. These goals, scored in the last 15 minutes of the game, sealed the win for France. Zidane was pleased with his team's reaction to his tactics.
Michael Olise praised Zidane's ideas and the team's ability to follow them. He expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance over the last four matches and looked forward to continuing in the same vein. Zidane's squad is set to face Italy and host Turkey in the upcoming international window in November.
Zidane's start as the French national team's head coach has been impressive, with his team showing ruthless efficiency. His ability to adapt and make tactical changes has been crucial in their success. The team's performance has been encouraging, and Zidane's optimism about the future is well-founded.
The French team's upcoming games against Italy and Turkey will provide further insight into their capabilities. Zidane will look to build on his team's momentum and continue to develop their skills. With a strong squad and effective tactics, France is expected to remain competitive in the UEFA Nations League.
Key points
- Zinedine Zidane's French national team starts with three wins and a draw in UEFA Nations League.
- The team's substitutes made a significant impact in their game against Belgium.
- Zidane's tactics and team performance have been encouraging, and he's optimistic about the future.
