The change is now! After 12 years of reign of Didier Deschamps, we could wonder to what extent the arrival of Zinédine Zidane at the head of the France team would disrupt our habits with the Blues. It is clear, after this first gathering of four matches, that several differences are notable.
Clearly, the Zidane “paw” is felt in two areas: in the style of play advocated, and in the choice of men that goes with it. The choice of system is not the major lesson, because if Deschamps finished his mandate in 4-2-3-1, he regularly played in 4-3-3 over the years. But not in this way.
The change lies in the choice of midfield profiles. He is embodied by several men, like Lucas Da Cunha, an excellent ball distributor, while under Deschamps, we would undoubtedly have seen an Aurélien Tchouaméni in this position, in a sentinel register. The repositioning of Rayan Cherki a notch lower is worth noting, as is the return to favor of Eduardo Camavinga. The result is three matches in a row with around 65% ball possession.
Changes on all lines
Defensively, Zidane began a renewal which was becoming necessary among the full-backs. His main bet was Andy Diouf, and it is not necessarily conclusive, one way or the other. In central defense, the new player is Jérémy Jacquet, but it is difficult to speak of Zidane’s “find” as the former Rennais has become an obvious choice since the start of the season at Liverpool.
And in front? Apart from the arrival in the group of Estéban Lepaul, the main choice concerns the positioning of each one. Kylian Mbappé on the left, Michael Olise on the right (like at Bayern), and Ousmane Dembélé in the center, both in the same position as at PSG and in the same role, thus embodying the pressing instructions advocated by the new coach. We will have to see if this changes in November, if Mbappé returns to the axis to leave the left side to Désiré Doué who knocks very hard on the door. Nothing is set in stone, because the Zidane era is just getting started. But the foundations are laid.
