Zidane changes nine starters and leads France to victory

Zinedine Zidane, visibly satisfied, spoke to the microphones immediately after France's victory over Belgium, achieved 1-0 thanks to Michael Olise's goal in the final minute. The result convinced the head coach of the Bleus, who highlighted the response of a profoundly renewed team compared to the match against Turkey.

The victory against Belgium

Michael Olise's goal in the closing minutes broke the Belgian defence and gave the decisive advantage. Zidane said the performance shows an overall improvement, especially in the pressing against a great team like Belgium. The team held on, was courageous and did not fear occupying the opponent's half‑court.

The new setup and squad management

Zidane had decided to change as many as nine players in the starting eleven, a bold choice that delivered the hoped‑for results. “Yes, and not only with the ball. Even tonight, as in the match against Turkey, we performed well. The field was better and we were good in everything: in the pressing, against a great team like Belgium,” explained the French coach.

The coach then highlighted the importance of everyone’s participation: “Perhaps in the second half we slowed the tempo a bit, but that was normal after nine changes. The most important thing is that everyone feels involved, and that’s what we love.” He added that there is no ‘team type’: “There is no ‘team type’. Everyone must feel ready and think they can give something.”

After a less convincing performance against Turkey, France showed important signs against Belgium. Zidane urged the players to recover energy before the next match against Italy, emphasizing: “We need to rest. We have travelled a lot and trained little. I want the players to recover and have a bit of time for themselves.”