Zinedine Zidane attends PSG-Lens clash as France squad decisions begin

Zinedine Zidane made a notable appearance at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Sunday as the newly appointed France manager watched Paris Saint-Germain take on Lens in the Champions Trophy.

The former France captain was present to observe the match from the stands, according to French outlet Foot Mercato, as he begins assessing the leading candidates for his first squads in charge of Les Bleus.

Zidane’s attendance marked an early practical step in his work with the national team. With France preparing to enter a new era under his leadership, the match offered him the opportunity to watch a number of players with potential claims for international selection at close quarters.

The fixture was already significant for Paris Saint-Germain, who were looking to add another trophy to their collection after winning the UEFA Super Cup before the start of the season. Victory would have secured them the Champions Trophy and taken their total number of titles in the competition to 15.

Lens, meanwhile, approached the contest with the ambition of taking the trophy from the holders of the UEFA Champions League. The presence of Zidane in the stadium added another layer of interest to a match that carried importance beyond the silverware at stake.

As one of the most prominent figures in French football, Zidane’s return to the national-team environment has attracted considerable attention. His decision to watch Paris Saint-Germain and Lens in person underlined the importance of the early stages of his tenure, as he begins to form an assessment of the players who could feature in France’s next set of squads.

The visit also allowed him to monitor the condition and performances of possible France selections at the beginning of the season. Rather than simply observing the match as a high-profile guest, Zidane was using it as part of the process of identifying the players who may fit into his plans.

His appearance came after he had taken charge of the France team and represented the start of a more active review of the options available to him. The precise shape of his choices will become clearer as the national team’s upcoming commitments draw closer.

For now, the attention surrounding the Champions Trophy extended beyond the outcome between Paris Saint-Germain and Lens. Zidane’s presence ensured that the performances of players on both sides were also viewed through the perspective of France’s next phase, with the new manager watching from the stands as he began his work.