It feels churlish to grouse about a World Cup-winning manager, but sometimes, it must still be done: given the players Didier Deschamps had in 14 years in charge of France, one World Cup feels like bare minimum at best and failure at worst, the solitary triumph more likely in spite of than because of him.
So to Zinedine Zidane. On the one hand, it is not easy to pinpoint the tactical adjustments that won him and Real Madrd two La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues in a row but, on the other, if “all” he did was create an environment in which brilliant talents could flourish, that may also be “all” he needs to do with France.
It feels like it was several months ago, but actually it was just last week that his team won 1-0 in Belgium, who they face once again this evening. Mark van Bommel, though, has also made a decent start to his new job, wins away to Italy and at home to Turkey leaving them just a point behind France with a better goal difference. Tonight’s clash in Paris should be a belter.
Nor is it the only one we’ll be bringing you. Also in this group, Turkey visit Italy while, elsewhere, Northern Ireland host Georgia, Ukraine face Hungary, Bosnia-Herzegovina meet Poland and Romania entertain Sweden. Bring them on.
