Zidane leads first France training session before Nations League games
Former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane led his first training session with the France national team on Monday, ahead of upcoming Nations League matches. Not all squad members, including captain Kylian Mbappé, were present.
Zinedine Zidane took charge of his first France national team training session on Monday, preparing the squad for the upcoming Nations League campaign. Watched by around 50 journalists, the 1998 World Cup winner led a light workout at the national football centre in Clairefontaine, with roughly a dozen players taking part.
Because many of France's leading players were involved in club matches across Europe over the weekend, not all 23 members of the selected squad attended the session. Michael Olise, Eduardo Camavinga, Jules Koundé and Dayot Upamecano were among those present, but captain Kylian Mbappé — who featured in Real Madrid's derby defeat to Atletico Madrid on Sunday — was a notable absentee.
An experienced coaching team
Zidane was assisted by David Bettoni, who worked with him at Real Madrid, as well as former teammate from the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000-winning squads, Fabien Barthez, who now serves as France's goalkeeping coach. The session ended with a short practice match, followed by shooting drills using crosses delivered by Zidane himself.
Following this opening training camp of the Zidane era, France face four Nations League fixtures: away matches against Turkey and Belgium on September 25 and 28, followed by home games against Italy and Belgium at the Stade de France in early October.
