16.11.2026 02:00
France's head coach Zinedine Zidane praised the Turkish national team after the match in which they beat Turkey 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League A. Zidane said that Turkey was better in the first half and that the Turkish players played with their hearts and put France in a difficult position; he also used the phrase 'a very top-level player' for Arda Güler.
In France's final UEFA Nations League A match, where they beat Turkey 2-1, head coach Zinedine Zidane said they were not good in the first half and that they went for the result with the reaction they showed in the second half.
Speaking at the press conference held after the match played at the Matmut Atlantique Stadium in Bordeaux, head coach Zidane stated that there was too much distance between his players in the first half.
Noting that the same situation occurred in the Italy match, Zidane said, "We used the ball better in the second half. We must be better. We have quality players. We need to be better. Turkey ran behind the ball. We needed to organize the game with passes."
HE ASKED HIS PLAYERS FOR A REACTION AT HALF-TIME
Zidane, who said he spoke to his players at half-time, stated, "At half-time I told my players, 'Show a reaction.' I was not satisfied with the first half. We showed a reaction in the second half. At times we had difficult moments, but we responded well. Although we were bad in the first half, my players gave everything. I was a footballer too and I know what that is. These players play a match every three days. They fixed this situation in the second half. They should be satisfied with what we did in six matches. In my view, we have left a good period behind us; we must be even better and we will do that."
TURKEY PUT US IN A DIFFICULT POSITION, ARDA GÜLER IS AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL
Zinedine Zidane underlined that the Turkish national team is made up of good players.
The French coach, stating that gaps emerged between the lines in his own team due to Turkey's play, said, "In some positions we had to involve the goalkeeper, but we shouldn't have. We were not good in terms of pressing. Turkey is a very good and technical team. They play well with the ball. When we don't press, we expend a lot of effort. Turkey was no different from the previous match. They are very good when they have the ball. They are all very good and quality players. Arda Güler is a player at a very high level. Turkey showed us tonight that they played with their hearts and put us in a difficult position. They were better than us in the first half; we were better in the second half." he said.
PRAISE FOR MBAPPE
Also speaking about team captain Kylian Mbappe, Zidane made the statement, "He was very good tonight. He found chances for himself. I was expecting him to score, but the goalkeeper was very good. I am very pleased with Mbappe."