Zidane Set for Emotional France Debut Against Italy at Stade de France
Zinedine Zidane will take charge of France at the Stade de France for the first time on Friday when Italy visit in the Nations League, returning to the venue against the same opposition he faced in his final match as a professional in 2006.
The occasion is expected to bring a major reception for the new France head coach, and Roma midfielder Manu Koné said the squad will experience that moment alongside the supporters. “We will find out on Friday, at the same time as everybody else,” Koné said. “There will be an ovation, we will applaud him, and that is it.”
France have had limited preparation time under Zidane, but Koné said the former midfielder has quickly established a close relationship with the group. The 23-year-old described a coach who communicates directly, whether in one-to-one conversations or in front of the entire squad, while encouraging players to trust their own qualities.
“It is a pleasure to work with Zinedine Zidane. He is a world legend,” Koné said. “He is very human in the way he manages us, very honest and close to the players. He speaks to us individually and collectively, gives us confidence and tells us to play with freedom.”
For Koné, Zidane’s experience in midfield has particular value. The France coach has offered guidance on positioning and on maintaining the side’s balance, with the Roma player keen to absorb the demands of his new role.
“Because he was a midfielder, I can learn a great deal from him,” Koné said. “I listen carefully to what he tells me. He advises me about positioning and the team’s balance. The key thing is to fulfil the coach’s expectations.”
Zidane has also made clear to the players that he is pleased by the speed with which they have responded to his ideas. Koné said the coach has repeatedly praised the group’s ability to adapt despite the short period available on the training ground.
“We have not had much time to work,” Koné added, “but he is proud because we have been able to apply what he wants. He sees that we are good players with the capacity to adapt, and he has told us that.”
Friday’s meeting with Italy will therefore offer both Zidane and his players an early competitive measure of the new regime, with the Stade de France set to mark a return loaded with personal history for the former France captain.
