Zidane's France debut held to goalless draw by Turkey in Nations League
France dominated possession but lacked cutting edge as Zidane's first match in charge ended 0-0 in Izmit.
KEY POINTS
- Zidane's first match as France coach ended in a 0-0 draw in Izmit
- Turkey created the best early chance through Yilmaz (offside)
- Olise forced the only significant save of the first half
- France dominated possession but lacked clinical finishing
- Match played at Kocaeli Stadium on Nations League Matchday 1
Zinédine Zidane began his tenure as France manager with a 0-0 draw against Turkey in their Nations League opener at the Kocaeli Stadium in Izmit on Friday. The match marked the end of Didier Deschamps' 14-year reign and the start of a new era for Les Bleus.
Turkey started brightly and created the first clear chance when striker Yilmaz broke through but was flagged offside in the fourth minute. The hosts pressed high and disrupted France's rhythm during the opening quarter, with Arda Güler booked in the 41st minute.
“This Turkey-France match has begun and Zinédine Zidane has a very closed face. He is very concentrated and visibly tense in his technical area.”
France grew into the game towards the end of the first half, with Michael Olise forcing a strong save from goalkeeper Cakir with a powerful left-footed strike in the 43rd minute. Rayan Cherki also tested the Turkish defence with incisive passing but found Merih Demiral alert.
The second half continued in a similar vein, described by reporters as a "cagey" affair where France struggled to break down a compact Turkish defence despite improved attacking intent late on. Neither side managed to find a breakthrough before the final whistle.
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