Zinedine Zidane endured his first defeat as France head coach on Thursday night as Italy rallied from behind to secure a 3-1 victory in the UEFA Nations League. The setback at the San Siro in Milan ended Zidane’s unbeaten start at the helm of Les Bleus and handed Italy the top spot in Group A1.
France started brightly and took an early lead through winger Michael Olise. However, a spirited Italian comeback in the second half exposed defensive vulnerabilities, leaving Zidane to address tactical challenges ahead of Sunday’s must-win group fixture against Turkey.
How Italy Overturned an Early French Advantage
France dominated possession during the opening half-hour and struck first when Olise finished cleanly to put the visitors in front. Italy gradually stabilized their midfield and leveled the score before the break through forward Francesco Pio Esposito.
The match shifted decisively in the second half. Shortly after Sebastiano Esposito missed a penalty for Italy, Davide Frattesi capitalized on defensive confusion to fire Italy ahead. Francesco Pio Esposito then converted a second Italian spot-kick to secure his brace and seal a memorable 3-1 win for the Azzurri.
Zidane Defends Squad and Shoulders Tactical Blame
Speaking to reporters in his post-match press conference, Zidane remained composed, describing the defeat as an essential step in his team's evolution. He rejected suggestions that his players lacked courage, pointing instead to defensive lapses after Italy seized the lead.
Zidane acknowledged that his side struggled to contain Italy's direct transitions once the momentum swung. He accepted responsibility for second-half coaching adjustments that failed to restore defensive balance, emphasizing that building a championship-caliber squad requires learning from difficult away matches.
Mbappé’s Imminent Return and Upamecano’s Departure
France contested the match without captain Kylian Mbappé, who watched from the stands due to minor hamstring discomfort. Zidane confirmed that medical staff adopted a precautionary approach, adding that the 27-year-old forward is expected to return for Sunday’s crucial encounter with Turkey in Bordeaux.
Les Bleus face further squad adjustments after defender Dayot Upamecano left the camp on Friday for personal reasons. With qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals hanging in the balance, Zidane must regroup his defensive unit quickly to secure the required result on home soil.
