Zinédine Zidane makes his debut on the French team bench against Turkey

Why is this match an event?

The answer is in two words: Zinédine Zidane. For his big debut with the French team in the coach's suit, the new boss creates an event wherever he goes. FFF headquarters, Clairefontaine, Hôtel des Bleus, Izmit stadium… The public is just waiting for them. And his players take second place. “Zizoumania”. He wants to only think about his group, the matches, and Turkey, but his aura sweeps everything away. The 1998 world champion, who has coveted this position for so many years, does not hide his pleasure at launching a new era.

“We know its importance in French football very well,” admits Adrien Rabiot. His aura. It takes up a lot of space and people expect a lot from it. He tries to withdraw as much as possible. Make sure we talk about the players as much as possible. It can sometimes make it easier for the players.”

Why didn't Kylian Mbappé show up at the pre-match press conference?

The captain of the Blues, absent from training on Tuesday due to flu syndrome, has since done all the sessions with his partners. And Thursday evening, in the aisles of the Izmit stadium, the caravan of followers expected to see him appear in front of the media for the premiere of Zinédine Zidane. Failed, it was Adrien Rabiot who responded to the media. Asked about this subject, the coach simply replied that UEFA wanted a player and the captain.

Until 15 minutes before the press briefing, the identity of the Frenchman asked to present himself had not been disclosed. As is often the case in recent months, the internationals are not rushing to respond to the media. The captain refused this time, after talking a lot (too much) in his quest for the Ballon d’Or. In his defense, he is one of the only Blues to have assumed his status in this exercise during the World Cup. Unlike others supposed to be locker room executives.

Which French team will be lined up for Zidane's first?

The new coach's desire is clear: win all four matches and provide some play. “We want to put on a show,” even says Adrien Rabiot. An ambition assumed by Zidane, who, with his assistants, continued to insist on intensity, races and the desire to play wide in training this week. To achieve this, the France team should play in a 4-3-3 formation. In front, from left to right, the Mbappé-Dembélé-Olise attack. In midfield: Rabiot-Koné-Cherki. It will be interesting to see the position of the Manchester City player, expected in a relay role. After his poor World Cup and a questionable attitude against England, he must offer something else to launch a new era. In defense, Truffert seems to start in front of Diouf, while the Jacquet-Upamecano hinge seems to please “ZZ”, with Koundé on the right. And Maignan on goal.

What is the atmosphere like in Türkiye?

The arrival of Zidane offered an original press conference sequence on Thursday evening. Sign of a status like no other. One of our Turkish colleagues simply proclaimed his admiration and his joy at asking the legendary former number ten of France a question, before asking him if he could sign an autograph. “We’ll do that later, no problem,” replied “Zizou,” smiling. In addition to this moment, Turkish supporters are standing still in front of the Blues hotel, but also for that of their selection (establishment where certain French media, including Le Figaro). The expectation is there for Vincenzo Montella's men, and the atmosphere promises to be hot on Friday evening. “We know the reputation of Turkish club teams, the same goes for the national team,” says Adrien Rabiot. We are ready for that, they are a people very proud of their national team, we will try to ignore all that. We will try to put on a show and win this meeting.”

Why is this match not being played in Istanbul?

Located more than a hundred kilometers from Istanbul, the match between Turkey and France takes place in Izmit in a modest enclosure with 34,824 seats, usually occupied by the local team Kocaelispor. A choice which may have been surprising within the FFF, but the reason is obvious. Eliminated in the first round of the World Cup, despite the expansion to 48 nations, the Turkish selection of Italian technician Vincenzo Montella found its supporters again during this international sequence. The federation considered that playing matches in Istanbul, with possible hostility from local supporters, and possible excesses, was not necessarily a good idea. The choice of reason? Response Friday evening.