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Who: Turkiye vs France
What: UEFA Nations League
Where: Kocaeli Stadium in Izmit, Turkiye
When: Friday, September 25, at 9:45pm (18:45 GMT)
How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will have all the build-up from 15:45 GMT.
Zinedine Zidane was asked if taking charge of his first France game on Friday will feel just as special as his playing debut for Les Bleus more than 30 years ago.
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“Even more so, maybe,” a smiling Zidane said on Thursday ahead of a Nations League game in Turkiye. “I feel an immense emotion being at the head of this France team.”
Zidane’s dream was realised when he replaced Didier Deschamps after the 2026 World Cup. His former teammate Deschamps was in charge for 14 years, winning the World Cup in 2018 and losing the 2022 final.
Now it’s Zidane’s chance to make his mark on a team he once starred for.
Affectionately nicknamed “Zizou”, his face was beamed onto the Arc de Triomphe in Paris the night France celebrated its first World Cup triumph in 1998.
Zidane scored two headers in the final in a 3-0 win over Brazil and later that year he won the Ballon d’Or. Two years later, he was instrumental in France winning the European Championship.
His rise to the top seemed almost fated, for his international career began brilliantly in 1994 with two stunning goals against the Czech Republic after coming on as a substitute.
He then won league titles with Juventus and Real Madrid and scored a brilliant volley to help Madrid win the Champions League in 2002.
Zidane understands expectations are high, given his achievements as a player and how he led Real Madrid to three straight Champions League titles as a coach.
“It’s something new. I’m taking over as head coach so people are talking about it,” he said. “That makes sense.”
After facing Turkiye, France plays Belgium away on Monday before hosting Italy on October 2, and Belgium three days later, with both those games at the Stade de France.
Mbappe given all clear for France’s trip to Turkiye
France’s all-time top scorer Kylian Mbappe is set to captain the side, having shrugged off a minor injury.
Zidane was asked why, given that Mbappe is captain, he was not present at Thursday’s pre-match news conference. Instead, it was midfielder Adrien Rabiot who spoke to the media.
“The obligation is to have one player and the coach,” Zidane said. “[Mbappe] is fine. He will be ready to play tomorrow.”
Rabiot is one of France’s vice-captains along with forward Ousmane Dembele and right back Jules Kounde.
Rabiot said the huge attention placed on Zidane gave the players a welcome back seat.
“His aura means he commands a lot of attention,” Rabiot said. “In a way, it’s a good thing that the focus is more on the coach than the players. It gives them a bit more peace and quiet.”
Zidane understands the limelight but does not seek it.
“You have to accept how things are. But I’m not here for that,” he said. “Winning matches is what interests me the most.”
Turkiye will be without the services of Hakan Calhanoglu and Kenan Yildiz due to injury. Real Madrid starlet Arda Guler, however, is available despite fears of a knock.
What happened the last time Turkiye played France?
The sides shared a 1-1 draw in Paris in 2019 in a qualifier for Euro 2020.
Olivier Giroud gave the home side the lead in the 76th minute before Kaan Ayhan levelled for Turkiye five minutes later.
Head-to-head
This will be the seventh meeting between the nations, with France claiming four wins to Turkiye’s one in the previous encounters.
Turkiye predicted starting lineup
Cakir; Celik, Demiral, Bardakci, Elmali; Ozcan, Kokcu, Yuksek; Guler, Yilmaz, Akturkoglu
France team news
Zidane can choose from six new faces in his squad.
Striker Esteban Lepaul (Rennes), defenders Leny Yoro (Manchester United) and Jeremy Jacquet (Liverpool), midfielder Lucas Da Cunha (Como), Andy Diouf (Inter Milan) and Guillaume Restes (Toulouse) are set for their debuts.
“I’m happy with what I’ve seen so far. The French team is open to everyone,” Zidane said. “We’ve got a good squad, some veterans, some newcomers.”
France predicted starting lineup
Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Lacroix, Truffert; Camavinga, Rabiot; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe
