After two wins in two away games, Zinedine Zidane’s return to the Stade de France as coach was not exactly a success, as Les Bleus were held to a 1-1 draw by Italy on Friday in the UEFA Nations League.
Michael Olise scored another superb goal but France were held to a 1-1 draw by Italy on Friday in Zinedine Zidane's first home game since being appointed coach of Les Bleus.
Four days after coming off the bench to score a stunning solo effort to give France a 1-0 win in Belgium, Bayern Munich star Olise again showcased his spectacular talent by smashing a shot in off the crossbar from a free-kick early in the second half.
However, Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni equalised for Italy midway through the second half to prevent Zidane from making it three wins out of three in charge of his country.
France, who had defender Dayot Upamecano sent off late on, lead UEFA Nations League Group A1 with seven points, with Belgium just behind on six points after a 3-0 win over Turkey.
France and Belgium meet on Monday in their last match of this two-week long international window. Italy have four points before hosting Turkey next.
Zidane was the focus of attention as his home debut, before a packed crowd of 77,118 at the Stade de France just outside Paris, came against the same opponents as in his final game as a player.
The now 54-year-old icon and former Ballon d'Or winner never played again after being sent off for an infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin, which Italy won on penalties.
It was a first appearance for the former Real Madrid playmaker at France's national stadium since he played in a friendly against Mexico in May 2006, winning his 100th cap in the process.
"It was magnificent. We would have liked to win for our fans tonight but I was obviously really touched and delighted to be back at the Stade de France," he said.
Beyond the spotlight on his past, Zidane is trying to stamp his mark on the France team in this Nations League campaign, with one eye on the next major tournament, Euro 2028.
"I am happy with the performance albeit not with the result. We had chances to score a second goal and we didn't do it. But I am really proud of my players."
He was again without captain Kylian Mbappe here with the Real striker having returned to his club after suffering a knee injury while scoring the winner in Turkey last week.
Olise returned to the starting line-up in one of six changes from the Belgium game, but new faces Jeremy Jacquet, the Liverpool defender, and Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha again played.
Italy are rebuilding under Roberto Mancini, who has returned for a second spell as coach of a nation who have failed to qualify for the last three World Cups.
They will be the happier of the two teams with the draw in this game, although they had goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Donnarumma to thank for keeping them in it with a host of saves in the second half.
"I think this was a great performance tonight against one of the best teams in the world, with very positive aspects to it," said Mancini.
"We are on the right road, and we need to keep playing this way."
Moise Kean should actually have given Italy an early lead after a sweeping move, only for his disappointing finish to be saved by Mike Maigan.
Davide Frattesi also came close in the first half while Kean had a goal disallowed for offside, as an Olise cross which landed on the bar was as close as France came.
The hosts turned up the volume after the break and Donnarumma saved from Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Olise before the latter crashed in the opener on 55 minutes when Rayan Cherki laid off a dead ball.
However, Bastoni caught Da Cunha in possession just outside the France box and was left with an easy finish to pull the visitors level.
Donnarumma, formerly of Paris Saint-Germain, then produced more magic to save from Adrien Rabiot and twice from Eduardo Camavinga, before Upamecano walked for a second yellow on 85 minutes.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
