Almost everyone came away with negative reviews. The harsh defeat at San Siro Stadium brought the French team back to reality, and to a situation it had not been accustomed to for a long time.
The reason was not simply the failure of the star-studded attacking line, despite the significant absence of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, but because France, with Zinedine Zidane on the bench, believed that it was on its way to becoming an invincible team.
But in the end, the difference was not made by Michael Oliset, Desiree Douai or Bradley Barcola, who were pushed by Zidane, but rather by the Italian striker Pio Esposito, who received wide praise and a high rating from the French newspaper L'Equipe.
The French sports newspaper discussed the collapse of its country's national team, and described the defeat as going beyond the issue of absences and defensive weaknesses.
This was Zidane's first loss, in a match that gave him, according to the newspaper's description, "a first glimpse of a bright future, then a scene from the end of the world."
Thus, the new coach moved from the “dream” to “the dark corners of bitter defeat.”
This was done by the Italian team, which succeeded in erasing all the positives that France offered, during a second half in which the French looked like ghosts.
But the responsibility also extended to Zidane, whom So Foot magazine called “Zizou the Messiah,” in reference to the exceptional aura that surrounds him in his country.
As for L'Equipe, it gave him four degrees in its evaluation, which is equivalent to five degrees according to the Italian evaluation scale.
Prominent journalist Vincent Duloc wrote, criticizing his decisions: “Theoretically, when the score becomes 2-1, the coach should change something and not wait until the difference expands to two goals.” But he did not do that, because he did not believe in his ability to turn the match around through the substitutes.”
She also criticized his decision to give three players the opportunity to make their debut, considering it an “unsuccessful idea,” which, on top of that, reflects a “surprisingly defeatist approach.”
She believed that Zidane could have brought in Eduardo Camavinga early, and perhaps used Warren Zaire Emery in the right-back position instead of Malo Gusto.
The conclusion of the evaluation is that Zidane “did not pass the test.”
In fact, a small number of his players succeeded in obtaining acceptable ratings.
Da Cunha received seven marks, while Adrien Rabiot, Rayan Chergui and Bradley Barcola each received five marks.
As for Malo Gusto, he lived what the newspaper described as “real torture,” and it contented itself with awarding him two degrees.
Le Parisien newspaper was more harsh, giving the right-back only a score and a half.
Gusteau became a symbol of a defense that turned into an “open construction workshop,” according to the descriptions of the newspapers “Le Monde” and “Le Figaro.”
The latter stressed that “beautiful performance and will are not enough,” because the big teams are also required to be decisive and realistic in front of the goal.
These are the qualities demonstrated by the Italian team, which Le Parisien described as “fierce.”
The greatest praise went to Pio Esposito, whom L'Equipe described as "one of those strikers who remain in the memory of defenders."
The newspaper explained the reasons for its admiration for the Italian striker, saying: “He fights and protects the ball as a veteran player does, and on top of that he scores goals.”
This is precisely what he did against France, after he forced defenders Dayo Upamecano and Jacquet into a difficult evening.
The newspaper painted a picture of his playing style, noting that he was standing in front, while others were positioned behind him, while maintaining his focus on scoring the equalizer in a style reminiscent of former Italian striker Filippo Inzaghi.
But the most appropriate comparison, according to the newspaper, is with former Italian striker Christian Vieri, given his physical structure, scoring sense and numbers.
She confirmed that Esposito has proven that he has the courage necessary to bear the great responsibility that awaits him, after he became the striker that all of Italy relied on.
She concluded her praise by giving him eight marks out of ten, in an evaluation that reflects the extent of his influence in the match, and the great contrast between his brilliance and the failure of the French stars.
On Saturday, Portugal seeks to secure the top spot in Group D in the first level of the European Nations League, in its first match in the era after its star, Cristiano Ronaldo, as it aspires to win over its guest, Denmark, which is seeking to enhance its chances of reaching the quarter-finals. Portugal has secured the first place in the group with the full mark since the fourth round, collecting 12 points, and is 3 points ahead of second Denmark, and 6 points ahead of Wales and Norway, whose chances of qualifying still exist, and they will try to maintain them when they meet Oslo in the penultimate fifth round. Ronaldo confirmed his retirement from international football earlier this month, drawing the curtain on a busy career during which he played 234 international matches, scored 146 goals (two world records), and led his country to three major titles: the European Cup (2016) and the European Nations League (2019 and 2025).
It seems that Portugal was ready to turn the page on Ronaldo, who missed its last three matches due to his not participating in the match against Norway (2 - 1) in the second round on September 27, as he left the training camp and missed the next two matches against Denmark (4 - 2) and Norway (2 - 1) on October 1 and 4 last year. However, three of Portugal's four victories in this year's edition came by a margin of only one goal, meaning that coach Jorge Jesus' squad had to make strenuous efforts to collect their 12 points. It is enough for Portugal to avoid defeat to secure the lead and maintain its unbeaten record in 14 official international matches at home, a series that began before the 2022 World Cup (13 wins, one draw).
As for Denmark, it started its campaign in the competition in a faltering manner by losing to Norway (2 - 3), but it regained its balance with two wins in its next three matches (compared to one defeat), thus becoming the most prominent pursuer of Portugal. However, Brian Reimer's side still lacks defensive stability; It conceded 7 goals in this group, despite its success in keeping a clean sheet in two matches. Denmark seeks to gain three points from this confrontation before playing a potentially decisive match against Norway next Tuesday in the final sixth round, noting that the risk of relegation to the second level still exists.
Portugal won 5 of the last 6 matches against Denmark (against one defeat), including a 4-2 win in Copenhagen in October. Portugal is missing the services of Joao Cancelo and Francisco Conceicao due to suspension, and Tomas Araujo, Nuno Tavares and Rafael Leao due to injury, while Barcelona defenseman Andreas Christensen is absent from the Denmark squad, because he only recently returned to participate in the competitions with his Spanish club after recovering from the injury. A fateful summit between Wales and Norway.
Given that they are tied on 3 points in last place, the confrontation between Norway and Wales may play a decisive role in determining the fate of each of them in the competition. Norway's first participation in the first level was very difficult; After winning the opening match against Denmark, it suffered three consecutive defeats, which made it enter the fourth round in last place. These three defeats are Norway's worst total in a single edition of the European Nations League. If it suffers another defeat, coinciding with Denmark achieving a positive result (a win or a draw) in the other match in the group, this will confirm that coach Staley Solbakken’s squad will remain in last place. However, Norway can go into the match with some confidence, especially since its loss to Portugal in the second round was its first on home soil since March 2024 (before which it achieved 11 wins and 3 draws).
As for Wales, it is ahead of Norway thanks to its victory in the direct confrontation last month (2 - 1), in which it overturned its deficit into a victory, but then lost to Denmark 0 - 1. This was its eighth defeat in 10 matches it played in the first level of this tournament (compared to one win and one draw). Any new stumble in this match will put it in the face of the inevitability of victory over Portugal in the sixth round to avoid last place and the risk of direct relegation to the second level. Wales is counting on the return of a number of influential players, led by Harry Wilson, who has recovered from injury. Coach Craig Bellamy hopes to correct the course of Wales, which has achieved only one win in its last eight matches (two draws and 5 defeats).
