France boss Zidane generates 'electric atmosphere' with Nations League wins
One of his favourite moves as a player was La Roulette – or the "Marseille turn". In the thick of the action, Zidane would place one foot on the ball to make it roll, then spin 360 degrees, shielding it with his body and leaving his marker behind.
And he appeared up to his old tricks as his France side prepared to face Belgium in the second game of the 2027 Nations League on 28 September.
Instead of lamenting the absence of star striker and skipper Kylian Mbappé in Brussels, Zidane opted for the unorthodox approach.
He made nine changes to the team that had started the opening game against Turkey in Izmit, during which Mbappé picked up the injury to his left knee that kept him off the roster in Belgium.
Zidane retained only goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defender Maxence Lacroix. Defenders Andy Diouf, Jérémy Jacquet and Pierre Kalulu were all named in the France starting line-up for the first time, along with international debutants Lucas Da Cunha in midfield and Esteban Lepaul in attack.
"It was a bit surprising in terms of the scale of the changes," said Dominique Sévérac, who covers the national team for French newspaper Le Parisien. "Because making nine changes is practically like changing the entire team. But the thing is, Zidane has his own ideas."
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Olise's magic moment
The gambit appeared to be working as France held Belgium 0-0 in Brussels.
With a few minutes remaining, second-half substitute Michael Olise set off on a weave that left four of Belgium's finest defenders on the deck and France with a 1-0 lead.
Zidane, running along the touchline in Olise's wake, booted a spare ball perched on a cone alongside the pitch in celebration.
"I went along with the play and I wanted to be part of it," he said, smiling sheepishly. "I sensed he was off on a dribble so I wanted to follow him. And then I saw the ball there and I told myself I had to shoot it. It might be a little bit ridiculous, but it doesn't matter."
"It showed that he was a coach who was really involved in the match, alongside his players," said Sévérac. "He knew that this goal was exceptional. It was a goal that would remain in the collective memory, one of the defining images in the history of French football. And he knew it could secure the victory."
Despite a late barrage from Belgium, France held on to secure the win – and the top spot in League A Group 1.
"You haven't coached for five years since leaving Madrid. You've spent almost your entire life dreaming of becoming the French national team coach," said Sévérac, who has been reporting on French football since 1997.
"And now, in your first two matches, you've won twice, including one victory snatched at the last moment thanks to an extraordinary goal. Of course, there's a sense of release... Zinédine Zidane is an icon. He celebrated in an iconic way."
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Homecoming
Olise was also on target in the 1-1 draw with Italy at the Stade de France – where Zidane stitched himself into the national fabric with two goals in the 1998 World Cup final, as France beat Brazil 3-0 to claim their first world title.
Although he may have been denied a win in his first game in France since replacing former international teammate Didier Deschamps as head coach in July, France remained top of the pool after three matches with seven points. The result also did little to dampen the fervour surrounding Zidane.
"Perhaps there was some excitement when Didier Deschamps first arrived in 2012," said Sévérac. "His first match was in Le Havre and I was there, but I don't remember any extraordinary scenes.
"Perhaps there was some anticipation when he first played at the Stade de France but it was never like this. The crowd has never been so electrified by the presence of a national team manager."
And there was euphoria among the 78,000 home fans in the Stade de France on Monday night after a four-goal burst between the 77th and 90th minutes sent France past Belgium 4-1. Michael Olise scored four goals during France's four games to date in the 2027 Nations League.
Olise came off the bench in the 60th minute to set up Rayan Cherki for France's second goal. Désiré Doué, who struck home France's equaliser, provided the pass for both of Olise's strikes.
"We played well at the end," Olise told French broadcaster TF1. "It's always tough against a team that defends close to its goal," added the 24-year-old, who took his tally to 11 goals in 29 international games. "But we continued to work hard and it paid off."
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France set the pace
France sit at the top of Group 1 with 10 points, three clear of Italy and four ahead of Belgium.
Turkey, who are bottom after four defeats, will go into the next game against Belgium with a new head coach. On Friday night, the Turkey Football Federation sacked Vincenzo Montella for the run which followed elimination after the group stages at the 2026 World Cup.
France will travel to Italy on 12 November, before entertaining Turkey in Bordeaux on 15 November.
"The French national team has never experienced this kind of connection between a manager and the team itself," said Sévérac.
"There's an aura around Zidane, almost a halo. There's media frenzy, public euphoria and an electric atmosphere. Only Zidane can generate that kind of reaction. I've never experienced anything like it. How long will it last? I don't know. But I think he's secure at least until Euro 2028."