Successful debut for Zinedine Zidane. For the first gathering of the “Zizou” era, the Blues beat Turkey (0-1) and Belgium (0-1), before being held by Italy (1-1) and finishing in style at the Stade de France again against the Red Devils (4-1).
This last meeting, Dayot Upamecano did not play it. And for good reason. The Bayern Munich defender was sent off in the previous match against Squadra Azzurra. In the 73rd minute, the former Leipzig player received a first yellow card after a physical and nervous clash with Moise Kean. About ten minutes later, he lost another duel against Kean, whom he roughly grabbed by the jersey. The referee logically issued a second yellow card, synonymous with expulsion.
This is the second red card received by Dayot Upamecano with the Blues in the calendar year 2026, after that against Brazil last March. Which revives debates on his management of discipline in moments of high tension. Emmanuel Petit also issued him a warning on this subject.
Little to Upamecano: “Shut up”
“Upamecano, he has to learn from his mistakes because he’s starting to do well. Stop acting like someone, play, shut up, and get into them. He is strong, but when a player gets in his head, he loses his concentration. He loses his objective »lamented the 98 world champion on RMC.
Before taking stock of the central defenders:
“Lacroix gives guarantees in quite a few areas, but he has something that is very detrimental at the high level. He was mystified by the leg pass on the center which led to a big Belgian opportunity. Its weakness is speed. Upamecano, Yoro and Jacquet, I have no problems with them on this point. Neither does Saliba, but I have a problem with Lacroix on this point. »
