Zidane praises dream start, but misses players after France's 4-1 win

Zinedine Zidane looks back with great satisfaction on his first full international spell as head coach of France, during which Les Blues on Monday secured a spectacular 4‑1 win over Belgium. The victory gave him a positive start, but the players' departure to their clubs still pains him.

Players make the difference in the victory

After the match, Zidane told TF1: “I have nothing to complain about.” He continued: “It’s actually the opposite. I was positively surprised by the players’ attitude. These are top‑class professionals.”

During the match, substitutes Michael Olise, Désiré Doué and Rayan Cherki provided the decisive difference in the final quarter. They added extra dynamism and strengthened the attack of Les Blues.

Zidane saw Olise as a future key player. Earlier this week he called him a ‘leader on the pitch’ on TF1 and praised his influence within the French national team.

Leny Yoro impresses against Lukaku in his first France cap

The twenty‑year‑old defender Leny Yoro made his debut against Belgium and received praise from Zidane, who called it a ‘great match’ for the young man.

Although he is satisfied, Zidane regrets that the players are now leaving for their clubs again. “For them it goes on, but for me it stops now. Yes, that feels strange. Now everything we have worked on comes to a halt and that is quite frustrating,” he said.

Olise lights up the Blues while Mbappé and Dembélé fade

In November France will reconvene for the final Nations‑League‑duels against Italy and Turkey; one win is enough to secure a place in the quarter‑finals.