Zidane backs Olise after defeat to Italy

Head coach Zinedine Zidane defended Michael Olise's performance after France's 3-1 Nations League defeat to Italy.

France lost 3-1 away to Italy on Thursday, their first defeat under Zidane. The result was also France's first away defeat to Italy since May 1962 (4 wins and 2 draws in their previous 6 visits).

It was also the ninth match France have lost to Italy after scoring the first goal. France have not lost as many matches to any other opponent after taking the lead.

Michael Olise, who put France ahead in the 10th minute, was criticised after the match for his second-half performance. France managed only eight shots after the break, two of them on target, for an expected goals (xG) figure of 0.43. Italy, meanwhile, generated 2.04 xG in the second half, including Francesco Pio Esposito's penalty.

Asked about Olise's performance at the post-match press conference, Zidane said:

"You can't always play the same way for 90 minutes. He has scored quite a few goals for us across the last two international breaks, and he has been very good. That's what I'm focusing on."

"I don't think he was a little less effective in the second half. We were all a little less effective in the second half. And when the team isn't playing as well, it affects individual performances."

In the 2026-27 Nations League, Harry Kane is the only player with more goals (7) and more direct goal involvements (8) than Olise (5 goals, 2 assists).

France host Türkiye on Sunday in their final group match and need only a point to secure a top-two finish in Group A1. France are second behind leaders Italy, who are level on points, while third-placed Belgium are one point behind.