Zinédine Zidane can thank Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki and Désiré Doué for preventing him from ending this international break on a false note. Dominant, but ineffective up front, the French team was on course to lose at home against Belgium when “Zizou” made the difference by bringing into play the three substitutes who quickly turned into scorers (Doué, Olise x2, Cherki) and passers (Doué x2, Olise). A 4-1 success which therefore allows the Blues to finish this international break dedicated to the Nations League in first place in the classification of group 1 of League A. For his first gathering in blue, Zidane was spoiled with three victories and a draw in four matches.
At the end of the match, the successor of Didier Deschamps returned to this spectacular success, a bit of a sham. “It’s football. That’s what we like. There were difficulties in the first half, that’s part of the game. It’s good to rectify the situation. That’s what we did, we managed to have an extraordinary second period. We missed these last few meters where it’s complicated if you don’t set a rhythm. We knew that with the changes, we could change the situation, they are high quality players. It was a complete match that we played. Everyone was good during these 15 days, that’s what I remember. Olise scores, Désiré enters and scores. That means it was the right choice.”he confided to the microphone of TF1before giving the main areas of progress. And for Zidane, his players will have to emphasize verticality in their offensive play, but not only that.
Zidane saw two areas of progress
“Clearly and occupy the penalty area. We missed that almost in all four matches. Occupy the surface when there are overflows, centers. It will come little by little, I am proud and happy with my players. Beyond results. We have ten points, we are good, but what I remember is the state of mind, having worked well together. » An observation which is not a surprise. Even if he was not free from all criticism, Estéban Lepaul spent two matches (both times against Belgium) receiving very little ammunition, the French attackers often preferring to go back when the crosses were not missed. Finally, elements such as Akliouche or Dembélé cruelly lacked verticality in their game. The first spent most of his time navigating between the two sides without being sharp, while the second was non-existent, both in 9 and on the right side.
Adjustments will have to be made at the next gathering, but Zidane preferred to keep the essentials: a united group. “There is really nothing to throw away, I was even pleasantly surprised by the state of mind of all the players. Serious about work, a group that lives well together, I was very happy to do these 15 days. It’s going to stop, it’s a little frustrating, but hey… Everyone joined in, and that’s what emerges from this group, even the players who came out were happy for those who scored. There is always a player who will make the difference, it’s always like that. We prepared things so that everyone had their moment. We had to pay attention to the players, we couldn’t do anything. » See you in November for the continuation and end of this group phase with a trip to Italy (November 12) and the reception of Turkey (November 15).
