**Zidane Feels Immense Emotion Before First Match in Charge of France**
Kocaeli, Turkey – Zinedine Zidane expressed profound feelings of emotion as he prepared to lead the French national football team for the first time in their Nations League opener against Turkey on Friday. The 54-year-old coach, who recently succeeded Didier Deschamps after his 14-year tenure, is set to embark on a new chapter in French football, starting with this away match.
In a press conference ahead of the game, Zidane reflected on the significance of the moment, comparing his current emotions to those he felt when he earned his first cap for France 32 years ago. "Maybe even more, actually," he remarked when asked if his feelings matched those of his debut. "It was a long time ago, and today I feel an immense emotion at being here in charge of this France team."
Zidane's appointment has generated considerable excitement not only in France but also in Turkey, where the anticipation of his debut has captured media attention. During the press conference, a journalist even requested an autograph from the former Real Madrid manager, highlighting the star power he brings to the role.
Despite the attention surrounding him, Zidane emphasized the importance of focusing on his players. "It’s the next step after Didier’s 14 years, it’s something new so it’s completely normal. But the main protagonists are the players," he stated. "I think you just have to accept the way things are done; I’m not looking for that and I’m not here for that. I’m going to try to do the job with my players, to make sure we can win matches – that’s what interests me."
Midfielder Adrien Rabiot echoed Zidane's sentiments, noting that the new coach is allowing players the freedom to express themselves on the pitch. "He tries to step back as much as possible to let the players express themselves," Rabiot said. "We’re fully aware of how important he’s been for French football. His aura means he takes up a lot of space and people expect a lot from him."
Rabiot, who has been named one of the team’s captains alongside Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Jules Kounde, acknowledged that "quite a few things have changed" since Zidane took over from Deschamps. He mentioned that there are new players, different approaches to training, and a shift toward a more attacking style of play under the new coach. "What the coach wants is obviously a fairly attacking style of play," Rabiot noted. "We’ll be very closely watched for how we play because the coach is new and a lot is expected from him."
As Zidane prepares for his debut match, the French team is also looking ahead to their next fixtures. Following the game against Turkey, they will face Belgium in another away match on Monday before returning home to play Italy next Friday.
With the spotlight firmly on him, Zidane's first match in charge is not only a significant moment for his career but also for the future of French football. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how his leadership and tactical philosophy translate on the pitch as France aims to build on its recent successes in international competitions.