Zinedine Zidane takes charge of the France national team
Zinedine Zidane has officially started his tenure as the manager of the France national football team by unveiling his first 23-player squad. The former Real Madrid coach, who succeeds Didier Deschamps, is preparing his squad for four crucial UEFA Nations League fixtures. Les Bleus are set to face Turkey on September 25 and Belgium on September 28, before hosting Italy at the Stade de France on October 1, followed by another match against the Red Devils in Saint-Denis on October 5.
A major revolution in French football
Zidane's very first squad selection marks a striking break from the era of Didier Deschamps. The legendary former playmaker handed call-ups to five new players: goalkeeper Guillaume Restes from Toulouse, defender Jérémy Jacquet from Liverpool, midfielder Andy Diouf from Inter Milan, winger Lucas Da Cunha from Como, and forward Estéban Lepaul from Stade Rennais. This bold new direction immediately caught the attention of fans and experts alike within French football.
How the Spanish press reacted to the squad
Across the border, the Spanish sports media closely monitored every detail of Zidane's new managerial venture. The prestigious Madrid-based newspaper Marca labelled the announcement a French Revolution, highlighting the absence of eleven players who featured in the recent World Cup. Marca also emphasized the inclusion of Eduardo Camavinga despite his limited playing time at Real Madrid, as Zidane strongly believes in his midfield qualities. Meanwhile, AS focused on Aurélien Tchouameni's omission due to his recent recovery from injury, while Sport discussed Jules Koundé's call-up.
Upcoming fixtures for Les Bleus
With this revamped squad and new media regulations implemented by the coaching staff, the French national team is stepping into a new era. The upcoming matches in the UEFA Nations League against Turkey, Belgium, and Italy will provide the first true test for Zidane and his players as they aim to establish their dominance in international football.
Photo : Oleg Dubyna from Poltava, Ukraine — CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
