Zinedine Zidane praises France unity after Belgium win

Zinedine Zidane has ended his first France international camp with confidence in the squad’s unity, while acknowledging that the team still needs greater attacking intensity. The result against Belgium left Les Bleus top of Group 1 in League A and gave the new coach a strong start after replacing Didier Deschamps.

France won 4-1 to reach 10 points from four matches, with three victories and one draw. Belgium led the contest into the second half, but Zidane’s substitutions changed the game. Désiré Doué scored after coming on, while Michael Olise found the net twice and Rayan Cherki also scored. Doué supplied two assists and Olise created another goal.

Zidane viewed the response after a difficult first period as an important sign, but said France must play more vertically and fill the penalty area more effectively when attacks develop through crosses or wide deliveries. He also noted that the team had lacked that presence during much of the four-match sequence. Despite those areas for improvement, he was pleased with the players’ work, discipline and support for one another, including among those replaced during the match.

France will return to Nations League action in November. They are scheduled to visit Italy on 12 November before hosting Turkey on 15 November, with the remaining group matches set to complete the phase.