A new chapter in French football history opens Friday in Turkey's Nations League, marking Zinedine Zidane's debut as France's head coach, a major challenge for one of the sport's true icons.
Zinedine Zidane © Mena Today
A new chapter in French football history opens Friday in Turkey's Nations League, marking Zinedine Zidane's debut as France's head coach, a major challenge for one of the sport's true icons.
It is in Izmit, a city in Kocaeli province roughly 100 kilometers east of Istanbul, that the former playmaker will launch his tenure at the helm of Les Bleus, arriving under heavy expectations given both his legendary playing status and his successful stint at Real Madrid (2016-2018, 2019-2021), which included a Champions League three-peat.
This trip to Turkey is the first of four Nations League matches over just ten days — France travel to Belgium on Monday before hosting Italy and Belgium on October 2 and 5.
These early games should set the tone for an adventure meant to carry Zidane all the way to the 2030 World Cup. His first selections will offer serious clues about the philosophy guiding his approach and the players he intends to build around.
Against a Turkish side eliminated in the World Cup's first round and led by former Italian striker Vincenzo Montella, Les Bleus will be the clear favorites.
But the unusual context and a new environment for the players to adapt to, a new coach, staff, and tactical system, will be no small factors to manage. For Zidane and his squad, the hardest part starts now.
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