Zinédine Zidane starts with a victory in Türkiye thanks to a goal from Kylian Mbappé

It therefore took the arrival of Zinédine Zidane at the head of the Blues for a French coach to begin his mandate with a victory. Situation no longer discussed since… Aimé Jacquet in 1994. Quite a symbol. Everyone hopes for the same fate for the legendary former number 10. The new boss of the French house was able to savor this success on Turkish soil (0-1) which launches his new adventure with the essentials. Everything was not perfect, far from it, but the truth on the ground is there. In his black suit, the only star capable of overshadowing the Pope this week was not exultant. He saw others. But the pleasure is there. The feeling of duty accomplished too. From Monday, Belgium presents itself in Brussels. No time to enjoy.

Late for the Marseillaise, Zidane made strong choices

To launch his new adventure at the head of the Blues, Zinédine Zidane, "late" for the start of a Marseillaise copiously whistled by the heated Turkish public, ultimately surprised more with his choice of position than by proposing a real rupture of men. Ten Mondialists lined up at kick-off and the only Adrien Truffert, already capped, launched to the left of the defense. But basically, the “revolution” mainly concerned the shift of Kylian Mbappé to the left, he the top scorer in the history of the selection, not seen in this position since Euro 2024. A strong choice, which should allow Ousmane Dembélé to find a playing style that suits him at Paris SG.

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Blues in reverse

It must be said, in the volcanic context of Izmit with the proudly displayed photo of President Erdogan and on a pitch unworthy of an international match, the “ZZ” version of the Blues showed nothing good during the first act. Waste, few connections, too academic a game with a trio of attackers who had a lot of trouble finding each other. As a meager consolation prize for the 310 French supporters present in Türkiye, a shot from Mbappé (17th) off target and another too late from Cherki (41st). A collective ensemble far too thin, sluggish and laborious during the first act to tame the 27th nation in the Fifa ranking, disinclined to bring danger in front of Mike Maignan's goal.

Mbappé first scorer of the “ZZ” era, the magnificent symbol

All this is ultimately just literature and no one will remember this insignificant first act. On the other hand, for the first of the legend Zidane, history will remember that the first scorer is called Kylian Mbappé. Quite a symbol. After having missed everything until then, and displaying a questionable attitude, between nonchalance and disinterest, the captain relieved his team by opening the score after a nice shift from Olise, also following good pressing from Dembélé (0-1, 54th). His 67th goal in 107 selections and smiles, but also a real grimace from the new coach, forced to change his captain (by Désiré Doué, 64th), hit in the knee. The next few hours will reveal more about the seriousness of the injury.

A first in pain