Rayan Cherki praises France’s play on difficult Turkey pitch

France began Zinedine Zidane’s tenure as national-team coach with a victory, while Rayan Cherki said the players were encouraged by the quality of their football despite demanding conditions in Turkey. The midfielder also described the result as an important start to a new chapter for the squad and its coach.

France won 1-0 on Friday in the opening round of the Nations League, with Kylian Mbappe scoring the decisive goal before leaving the match injured. The result secured the essential outcome for a team still adapting to Zidane’s methods and with room to improve.

Cherki said the pitch made the game more difficult and limited the team’s performance. Even so, he felt France maintained its approach, moving the ball and trying to control possession after only three training sessions under the new coach. The players’ level in those circumstances surprised them, he added.

The Manchester City player also highlighted France’s commitment in the duels and the collective effort against a Turkey side whose qualities had been expected to pose a challenge. Cherki expressed strong support for Zidane, pointing to the coach’s career as both a player and manager. For him, the win was a fitting beginning to an unfamiliar project and a reward for the work delivered on the pitch.