Zidane Faces Italy Again as France Coach in Nations League

Zinedine Zidane will take charge of France against Italy at the Stade de France on Friday, bringing him back into contact with the nation that ended his playing career in the 2006 World Cup final. Nearly 20 years on from his red card against Italy in Berlin, Zidane will meet the Azzurri as France coach in the UEFA Nations League.

France have won both of Zidane’s opening matches as coach, recording 1-0 away victories over Türkiye and Belgium. The match against Italy will be his first in front of a home crowd since succeeding as Les Bleus manager.

Zidane described the occasion as emotional but said his players had prepared properly and had no major issues ahead of the third game of his tenure. France intend to make the most of playing in front of their own supporters, he said.

A defining moment revisited

The fixture inevitably recalls the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin. Late in extra time, Zidane was dismissed after headbutting Italy defender Marco Materazzi in the chest. Italy went on to win the final, while the red card marked Zidane’s final appearance as a player.

Zidane said footage of the incident continues to be replayed regularly, although he stressed that it should not define everything he achieved in the France shirt. He does not view the episode as a regret, even if he is not proud of it, describing it instead as part of a career and a life in which people do not always make the right choices.

At the time, Zidane believed the sending-off would be the final lasting image of his France career. He said the aftermath was particularly difficult because he did not then expect to return as national-team coach. Now back in charge, he said he is ready to give everything to the role.

Zidane also confirmed that he has had no contact with Materazzi since the final.

Dembélé to lead France

Ousmane Dembélé is expected to captain France again in the absence of the injured Kylian Mbappé. Zidane’s side will seek a third successive win at the start of his reign when Italy arrive in Saint-Denis.

Italy are beginning another rebuilding phase under returning manager Roberto Mancini. Their first match of the new spell ended in a 2-0 home defeat to Belgium, but a 4-1 victory away to Türkiye has improved the mood around the squad.

Italy reduce travelling group

Mancini initially selected 33 players for the international break, but forward Giacomo Raspadori was subsequently ruled out through injury. Italy have also opted not to take their full group to France as they manage preparations for Monday’s match against Türkiye in Bologna.

• Honest Ahanor
• Nicolò Cambiaghi
• Diego Coppola
• Daniele Ghilardi
• Samuele Inácio
• Eddy Kouadio
• Rolando Mandragora
• Massimo Pessina
• Alessandro Romano

The nine players listed above have remained at home as Mancini reduces his travelling squad for the France fixture and plans for the next Nations League assignment.