Olise strike not enough as France draw with Italy in Zidane’s Stade de France return

Michael Olise scored another spectacular goal, but France were held to a 1-1 draw by Italy in Zinedine Zidane’s first home match as Les Bleus coach.

The Bayern Munich forward, who came off the bench to score the winner in a 1-0 victory over Belgium four days earlier, put France ahead early in the second half with a free-kick that flew in off the crossbar.

Italy levelled midway through the half through Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, denying Zidane a third consecutive win since taking charge of France.

France remain top of UEFA Nations League Group A1 with seven points. Belgium moved within one point after beating Turkey 3-0. France will face Belgium on Monday in their final match of the two-week international window, while Italy, who have four points, host Turkey next.

Zidane was the centre of attention at the Stade de France, where 77,118 supporters watched his first home game in charge. The opponents were the same nation he faced in his final appearance as a player.

The former Real Madrid playmaker, now 54, never played again after being sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin, which Italy won on penalties.

It was also Zidane’s first appearance at France’s national stadium since a friendly against Mexico in May 2006, when he won his 100th cap.

“It was magnificent. We would have liked to win for our fans tonight but I was obviously really touched and delighted to be back at the Stade de France,” he said.

Zidane is attempting to shape the France side during the Nations League campaign, with Euro 2028 also in view.

“I am happy with the performance albeit not with the result. We had chances to score a second goal and we didn’t do it. But I am really proud of my players.”

France were again without captain Kylian Mbappe, who returned to his club after suffering a knee injury while scoring the winner in Turkey last week.

Olise was restored to the starting XI in one of six changes from the Belgium game. Jeremy Jacquet, the Liverpool defender, and Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha also retained their places.

Italy are rebuilding under Roberto Mancini, who has returned for a second spell as coach after the country failed to qualify for the last three World Cups. They were the happier side with the draw, helped by a series of second-half saves from goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Donnarumma.

“I think this was a great performance tonight against one of the best teams in the world, with very positive aspects to it,” said Mancini. “We are on the right road, and we need to keep playing this way.”

Moise Kean was denied by Mike Maignan after a sweeping early Italian attack, while Davide Frattesi went close and another Kean effort was ruled out for offside. France’s best first-half moment saw an Olise cross strike the bar.

After the interval, Donnarumma saved from Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Olise before Olise struck in the 55th minute following Rayan Cherki’s lay-off from a free-kick.

Bastoni then won possession from Da Cunha outside the France penalty area and finished to equalise. Donnarumma subsequently denied Adrien Rabiot and made two saves from Eduardo Camavinga, before Dayot Upamecano was sent off for a second yellow card in the 85th minute.