Zidane begins France journey: First training session was not about tactics, but about trust

The first training session of Zinedine Zidane as France head coach was a quiet, technical session focused on connection rather than tactics. At Clairefontaine, the 54-year-old legend personally demonstrated ball skills to the squad, earning praise from Dayot Upamecano, who said "we saw that he still has some left in him." With no tactical drills, no press, and no formations, Zidane chose to build emotional foundations first. The real test comes with four Nations League matches against Turkey away, Belgium, and Italy between September 28 and October 5, 2026. While critics expect a tactical revolution, the absence of tactical details suggests a deliberate long-term approach. France's journey under Zidane will be measured not by formations, but by the human connections he builds in the dressing room. As a writer who follows teams closely, I believe this camp is more about trust than tactics. The upcoming fixtures against strong opponents will reveal whether Zidane's people-first approach can translate into results.