Bleus speak plainly: Zizou savours his first victory
Twenty years after his last call‑up, the Blues have rediscovered the Marseillaise and especially the victory over Turkey (0-1) in the Nations League, with a goal from Kylian Mbappé. The manager Zinédine Zidane, nicknamed Zizou, expressed his feelings without mincing words, highlighting the emotion of this successful first.
A first match marked by emotion
On TF1’s microphone, Zidane said: “It’s a lot of emotions, and a successful first. It wasn’t easy to play in Turkey with a complicated atmosphere. We played the match that was needed.” He added that his team pressed high and showed intensity, despite only three and a half training sessions. The captain had to leave the field injured, but the collective kept the course.
Tactical analysis and outlook
Zidane appreciated the offensive flow, with Ousmane Dembélé up front and the flanks secured by Olise and Mbappé. He highlighted his captain’s versatility, stating that one can play in several ways and even reposition Kylian Mbappé in the centre. He found it interesting to see all the players, even those who did not play.
In the second half, facing tenacious Turkish players, Zidane acknowledged some difficulties, but said he was satisfied with his players’ reaction and the contribution of the substitutes. He concluded that this first was encouraging for the future of his group.
Zinédine Zidane congratulates the Blues after their first win in Turkey
The next meeting of group 1 of League A will be against Belgium, victorious over Italy (0-2). Without Mbappé, Zidane will have to assemble a different collective, providing a new opportunity to assess the depth of his squad.
The broadcast of the match on TF1 gathered 6.82 million viewers, representing 37.7 % market share, an audience clearly higher than that of the qualifiers under Deschamps. This strong audience shows Zidane’s effect on the French public.
Zidane confirms his daring 4‑3‑3 against Turkey
The next Belgium‑France clash is scheduled for Monday evening at 20:45, still on TF1, promising a new showdown at the top of group 1.