Zidane rues France draw with Italy after first home game in charge
Zinedine Zidane’s first match in charge of France at the Stade de France ended in frustration as Italy recovered to draw 1-1 in the UEFA Nations League, though the head coach took encouragement from a performance he felt warranted a home win.
France held after Olise opener
- France began the match seeking a third successive victory since Zidane’s appointment as national-team coach.
- Michael Olise put Les Bleus ahead 10 minutes into the second half with an outstanding finish.
- Zidane’s side had controlled territory and created opportunities to add a second goal before Italy found a response.
- Alessandro Bastoni’s run through the middle changed the pattern of the game, with the defender scoring Italy’s equaliser.
- Dayot Upamecano was dismissed late in the second half after receiving a second yellow card, leaving France to see out the draw with 10 players.
The result stopped Zidane’s winning start after two matches and brought the first goal conceded by France during his tenure. It did, however, extend the team’s unbeaten sequence in Nations League group-stage fixtures to eight games, comprising six wins and two draws.
Zidane sees a platform for improvement
The France coach said his team had done enough before Bastoni’s intervention to take all three points. He described the contest as close but said he was pleased by what his players produced, while accepting that the final score was disappointing given the chances France had to increase their lead.
Zidane also stressed that the group is developing a dependable foundation for the fixtures ahead, adding that he could take pride in the commitment and the work his players have put in place.
France will remain at the Stade de France for Monday’s second home Group A Nations League match, when Zidane will pursue his first victory in front of the home support and an immediate response to the setback against Italy.
Italy leave Paris with a valuable away point after their second-half recovery.
