When Zidane's fire erupts on the line, Olise shines
While the French coach is usually seen as a flawlessly tuned technician, Zinedine Zidane shattered that mold on Monday evening by sprinting onto the side of the pitch just before Michael Olise created the decisive play that gave the 0‑1 victory to the Blues over the Red Devils in the Nations League.
"There are moments when the usual posture of a manager, buttoned‑up and measured in his technical zone, completely shatters," said the French coach. This sentence captures the striking contrast between his usual calm and the improvised gesture of the evening. The crowd immediately sensed the break from the usual framework. This observation was echoed by the match commentators.
On Monday evening, the France national team secured a 0‑1 win against the Red Devils in the Nations League. The Blues dominated possession but struggled to convert their chances. The resolution finally came in the closing minutes of the match.
Michael Olise's Lightning
The flash came from Michael Olise, sent into the opponent's half. The winger first controlled the ball on his shoulder, then embarked on a fantastic run that fooled the Belgian goalkeeper. This play unlocked the situation and led to the decisive goal.
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Zidane's Unexpected Reaction
Zidane, feeling the action develop, left the bench to run along the line to accompany his player. Arriving near the ball, he struck it with all his might, declaring "I had to shoot it in." The gesture, both impulsive and comedic, quickly spread across social media, where it was described as "ridiculous" but appreciated.
When interviewed on the spot on TF1's set, standing on the pitch itself, the manager wore a radiant smile and a hoarse voice. Teased by his former teammate Bixente Lizarazu who shouted "You were going to smash yourself!", he replied humorously: "Was I afraid of hurting myself? No. I started running because I wanted to accompany Michael, I saw him taking off on dribbles and I felt he was going to score." He finished laughing, stating he was "all in with him".
Later, when pressed at a press conference, Zidane expanded on his comments, admitting he didn't know exactly what he had done. "I don't even know what I did, actually!", he said, adding that he simply wanted to accompany Michael Olise's play and that the shot was "a bit ridiculous" but inconsequential. His contagious laugh underscored the authentic nature of the moment.
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This contrast between the expected rigor of a manager and the spontaneous impulse of a former champion shows that the passion for football remains alive in Zidane. It also demonstrates that, even in a serious match, a moment of authenticity can captivate the audience and social media.