Zidane Makes Dwelling Debut Friday as France Host Italy in Nations League

Zinedine Zidane steps into the highlight as France supervisor for the primary time on house soil when Les Bleus host Italy in UEFA Nations League Group A1 on the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Friday, October 2 (2:45 p.m. ET / 7:45 p.m. native).

France enter as group leaders with an ideal six factors from two matches, following back-to-back 1-0 victories over Türkiye and Belgium. Italy sit in second place alongside Belgium on three factors, having recovered from a 2-0 house loss to Belgium with a dominant 4-1 win at Türkiye, per UEFA’s official fixtures report.

The match carries added significance for Zidane. The legendary playmaker spent 5 years at Juventus in Italy earlier than becoming a member of Real Madrid, and his taking part in profession got here to its dramatic finish within the 2006 World Cup remaining towards the Azzurri, when he was despatched off for a headbutt on Marco Materazzi. Friday’s match on the Stade de France marks his first aggressive house fixture as France boss.

His gamers are already impressed. Midfielder Manu Koné, on the pre-match press convention at Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines on Tuesday, described what it’s prefer to work alongside the legendary playmaker.

“What genuinely shocked me was his technical level in training. He has lost absolutely nothing. Seeing him in person, at his age now, is even more impressive than you’d expect — you think to yourself, back in his prime, it must have been absolutely unreal,” Koné stated. On Zidane’s administration strategy, he added: “He’s very sincere, very close to the players. He puts everyone at ease to play freely. There’s no fear.”

Les Bleus will likely be with out Kylian Mbappé, who was confirmed out for all remaining Nations League matches this window after Real Madrid identified a hyperextension of the posterior capsule of his left knee, sustained whereas scoring towards Türkiye on September 25. Ousmane Dembélé is anticipated to begin in his place. Ibrahima Konate was additionally dominated out with a right-leg collateral ligament harm, changed within the squad by Leny Yoro on his first senior call-up, Goal.com reported.

Italy are anticipated to rotate for the journey to Paris, with Nicolò Barella, Gianluca Mancini, and different regulars rested in the course of the Türkiye win set to return, per Sports Mole. The staff’s most harmful attacker is Pio Esposito, who has scored six targets in simply 11 worldwide appearances. The sides are aware of one another from the 2024-25 Nations League, wherein Italy claimed a 3-1 win over France within the group stage, based on FIFA.com.

Italy should not with out confidence heading to Paris. Defender Giorgio Scalvini, talking to the FIGC on Tuesday, acknowledged the size of the problem whereas framing the journey as a benchmark for a creating facet.

“France are an extremely strong team, one of the best in the world. Their quality and pace in attack are unmatched,” Scalvini stated. “We are positive and brave. We are Italy, and we will try to give our best and play without fear.”

He added: “Facing a team of this quality is also an excellent opportunity to see where we stand.”

A France win Friday would push Les Bleus additional clear atop Group A1 heading into the ultimate three matchdays. Italy, in the meantime, want a outcome on the Stade de France to remain inside putting distance of the group lead.