Zidane leads first France training session at Clairefontaine ahead of Nations League campaign

Zinedine Zidane began his tenure as France’s national team coach on Monday, leading his first training session at Clairefontaine ahead of the Nations League campaign. The 1998 World Cup winner guided a dozen players through a light session observed by around 50 journalists, with his full 23-man squad not yet assembled due to club commitments over the weekend.
Assistant David Bettoni, who previously worked with Zidane at Real Madrid, and goalkeeping coach Fabien Barthez, his former teammate from France’s 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 victories, joined the session. The practice concluded with a short match and crossing drills, with Zidane himself delivering the crosses for finishing exercises.
Notable absentees included captain Kylian Mbappé, who had played in Real Madrid’s derby loss to Atletico Madrid the day prior. Among those present were Michael Olise, Eduardo Camavinga, Jules Koundé and Dayot Upamecano.
France’s schedule under Zidane’s first camp includes four Nations League fixtures: away matches against Turkey on September 25 and Belgium on September 28, followed by home games against Italy and Belgium at the Stade de France in early October .
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