France-Italy: Zidane gets a standing ovation but the Blues disappoint with a 1-1 draw

Smiles, an ovation, a lap of honor… but no victory and a real disappointment. This is a summary of the evening experienced by the France team on Friday evening for its third Nations League match. Expected as a hero for his big return to his garden, Zinédine Zidane failed to achieve another victory, held back by valiant Italians (1-1). His Blues lacked imagination, precision and inspiration to make the party completely beautiful. Nothing scandalous there, and confirmation that the work remains substantial in this new era.

By deciding to make six changes between Monday and Friday, with the return of Upamecano, Rabiot, Cherki, Dembélé and Olise, “ZZ” clearly displayed its ambitions for mastery, play and spectacle in a Stade de France won over to its cause. For his great reappearance in an enclosure that sticks to his skin, the new boss of the Blues was celebrated as the legend that he is, easily winning the victory with the applause in front of his players during the announcement of the teams. With each appearance on the giant screens, “Zizoumania” set Saint-Denis ablaze, a sign of eternal love and colossal anticipation. Fortunately the 1998 world champion was there to warm up the atmosphere a little because on the pitch, his Blues ultimately didn't show much for forty-five minutes.

Also read The notes of the Blues against Italy: Olise in chiaroscuro, Dembélé aphone, Jacquet shows himself

Skip the ad

Blues sluggish and uninspired

We left them exciting and refreshing in Brussels against the Red Devils (0-1), only to find them sluggish, uninspired and perfectly embarrassed by the Italian bloc, who had come to France to avoid catching the tide. And finally, without a magnificent save from Maignan in front of Kean (9th) and a shot from Frattesi diverted at the last minute by Jacquet (39th), the French team could even have been led in their garden. Symbols of a closed, tasteless and very dull first act for a return long awaited by 80,000 spectators left wanting more. At 54 years old, “ZZ” can make the team, set a course and give his instructions, but when it comes to the field, it is no longer his responsibility.

The triumphant return of Zidane, a Stade de France in melting, the masterstroke of Olise, the frustrated Blues… The most beautiful images from France-Italy

Access the slideshow (14)

Olise, an artist’s goal

The message was undoubtedly understood by Ousmane Dembélé's gang, promoted to captain in the absence of Kylian Mbappé, with a second act that was a little more exciting. Not difficult to make, you will understand. In two minutes, with Doué and Dembélé for the first time (48th), then Olise (50th), the Blues came across a huge Donnarumma, also happy to return to the capital and remember the good memories of some of his former teammates. Except that in this game, you shouldn't look too hard for Olise. With a sumptuous free kick slipped under the bar, the Munich player capsized the Stade de France (1-0, 55th), scoring his second goal of the week, and confirming his talents as a delicious artist. On his bench, Zidane explodes and turns towards his bench, relieved and angry. The jubilation is total. The Stade de France is in heaven.

Also read France-Italy: in video, Olise's sublime free kick and the equalizer for Squadra Azzura on a huge French foul

First hitch under “ZZ”