Nations League: L'Equipe, France sinks against Italy in the rain in Milan

Zidane's France "sinked" in the rain at San Siro against Mancini's Italy. The day after the first defeat of the new manager at the helm of the Blues in the Nations League, the French press with 'L'Equipe' in the lead describes the Transalpine national team as "lost" in the second half in Milan: an excellent start, then a team that fell apart after the draw and especially after the 2-1.

"After a good first part of the match - writes the famous sports newspaper - the French team liquefied and suffered the first knockout of the Zidane era under the waters of Milan. Now we will have to try to qualify against Turkey on Sunday in Bordeaux".

The most recurring opinion concerns the defensive performance, defined as worrying, and in particular the full-backs. For the French newspapers, the real work in progress for Zidane is the flanks, with Malo Gusto and Adrien Truffert suffering against the Azzurri wingers. Among the television commentators the words were even harsher, with judgments on the team's tactical disorder in the second half.

Zidane's words after the match were at the center of the controversy: the coach defended the first half but admitted that without the ball the team was in difficulty and that "defensively we were less good". After the second goal conceded, according to Zidane, France "went into great difficulty". On the return of Kylian Mbappé, absent at San Siro, he said that it is "possible and expected".

In the French newspapers there is also talk of the boos at San Siro at the Marseillaise which began as soon as the line-ups were read out, especially at the name of Zidane, and became deafening during the anthem, while only part of the audience applauded, together with the bench and the Italy staff.