Zidane coaches the Blues, Upamecano excluded after two cards

In the first gathering of the “Zizou” era, the Blues started with narrow victories, before closing the session at the Stade de France with a showcase against the Red Devils.

First successes and final match

Successful start for Zinedine Zidane: France beat Turkey 0-1 then Belgium 0-1. A 1-1 draw against Italy followed, before finishing in style at the Stade de France by handing the Red Devils a 4-1 defeat.

The latter encounter was marked by the absence of Dayot Upamecano, Bayern Munich defender, who did not play. His exclusion was due to a sending‑off in the previous match against the Squadra Azzurra.

Upamecano’s sending‑off

In the 73rd minute, the former Leipzig player received his first yellow card after a physical clash with Moïse Kean. Ten minutes later, he lost a duel against Kean, having grabbed him by the shirt, which resulted in a second yellow card and his dismissal.

France rolls on with surprising lineup against the Red Devils

It is Upamecano’s second red card with the Blues in 2026, the first having come against Brazil last March. Emmanuel Petit then issued a warning: “Shut up”, adding that the defender must learn from his mistakes.

Petit said on RMC: “Upamecano, he needs to learn from his mistakes because it’s getting out of hand. Stop showing off, play, shut up, and give them a proper hit, okay.” He went on to criticize the player’s disciplinary management.

An emotional scene at the Stade de France between Zidane and Jacquet

In conclusion, the 1998 world champion summed up the centre‑backs, noting that Lacroix lacks pace, while he has no issues with Upamecano, Yoro, Jacquet or Saliba.