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France 24
France 24
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FRANCE 24

France's new coach Zinedine Zidane leads first training session

France coach Zinedine Zidane led a training session involving Michael Olise
France coach Zinedine Zidane led a training session involving Michael Olise. © Franck Fife, AFP

France coach Zinedine Zidane on Monday oversaw his first training session with Les Bleus ahead of the new Nations League campaign. The 1998 World Cup winner led a dozen of his players through a light training session under the gaze of some 50 journalists.

Zinedine Zidane oversaw his first training session with the France national team on Monday as Les Bleus prepared for the start of the new Nations League campaign.

Under the gaze of some 50 journalists, the 1998 World Cup winner led a dozen of his players through a light training session at the country's national football centre, Clairefontaine.

Read moreMbappe says having Zidane as France coach 'like a film'

With many of France's stars in action with their clubs across Europe last weekend, not all of Zidane's 23-man squad were present.

Michael Olise, Eduardo Camavinga, Jules Kounde and Dayot Upamecano featured in the 12-strong group but captain Kylian Mbappé, who played in Real Madrid's derby loss to Atletico Madrid on Sunday, was a notable absentee.

Read moreFrance's new head coach Zidane unveils team line-up for Nations League matches

Zidane was joined for the session by his assistant David Bettoni, who worked alongside him at Real Madrid, and former teammate from the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000-winning sides, Fabien Barthez, who is France's goalkeeping coach.

The session concluded with a short practice match, followed by shots on goal from crosses delivered by Zidane himself.

France face four Nations League fixtures following this first training camp of the Zidane era: away matches in Turkey and Belgium on September 25 and 28, followed by home matches against Italy and Belgium at the Stade de France in early October.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

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