How Zidane changes the Blues' midfield in two matches

Zinédine Zidane, with barely two matches under his belt as head of the France team, has already imposed a new style in the midfield of the Blues, with two consecutive wins, including a 1‑0 in Belgium, and a playing identity marked by movement and audacity.

Tactical renewal in Belgium

The success in Belgium, won 1‑0, was built on nine changes in the starting eleven. Three newcomers made their international debuts, while the ten outfield players displayed an average of 9.8 caps before kickoff.

The new midfield trio, made up of Lucas Da Cunha, Eduardo Camavinga and Maghnes Akliouche, embodied the new dynamic imposed by the coach.

An eliminatory past behind the bench

This metamorphosis swept away the ashes of the 2026 World Cup semi‑final elimination against Spain, where the midfield had not existed. The two starters of that match, Aurélien Tchouaméni (not selected) and Adrien Rabiot (substitute), were absent in Brussels.

Olise propels the Blues to victory over Belgium

Daniel Riolo commented sarcastically: “Tonight, the midfield worked like I have rarely seen… precisely because it wasn’t there.” He added that Camavinga, who does not play for Real, replaced Rabiot with twice the speed, the percussion and the character.

Voices applauding the change

Lucas Da Cunha, 25, former Rennes player, celebrated his first call‑up by providing a creative number 6 role, fluidifying the game alongside Camavinga. A former Olympique Lyonnais defender said: “It’s very coherent for the future. You can see that there is work behind it.”

After the match in Turkey (0‑1), Jean‑Louis Tourre observed: “When you come out of a match like that and the content is as good, something is happening, the message is getting through between the coach and the players.” He emphasized that even the substitutes adhered to the same playing principles, perhaps even better than the starters.

Zidane changes nine starters and leads France to victory

Daniel Riolo believes this match can permanently reshuffle the cards of the Blues’ midfield and urges Zidane to turn the page by moving on from Adrien Rabiot and Aurélien Tchouaméni, key pieces of the previous coach. He criticized Rabiot, calling him a “soft club in Italy”, and stated that Tchouaméni could return in November if his playing time increases with Real Madrid after his injury comeback.