The evening at San Siro began with a gift: a mistake by Donnarumma allowed Olise to open the scoring as early as the 10th minute. France, led by Zidane, looked confident, but a quarter of an hour later the picture changed. Italy responded not merely with a goal, but with a demonstration of how experience and discipline can neutralise even the most star-studded team.
Pio Esposito, the 21-year-old Inter forward, became the hero of the evening. His goal in the 26nd minute and the penalty he converted in the 75rd not only brought victory but also highlighted the difference in approaches. While Zidane relied on the individual brilliance of Olise, Cherki and Barcola, Mancini built his game around collective organisation and timely substitutions.
France hit the post twice and looked dangerous, but could not hold on to their advantage. Sebastiano Esposito's missed penalty did not break the Italians — on the contrary, it only spurred them on. Frattesi in the 63th minute and Pio's second goal completed the rout, showing how fragile the new system under a new coach can prove to be.
Zidane took over the national team after three wins and a draw, but his first defeat exposed a key problem: stars without a clear tactical foundation are vulnerable against a team in which everyone knows their role. Mancini, by contrast, used every tool at his disposal — from pressing to quick flank attacks involving Dimarco.
This match served as a reminder that in modern football, talent without structure quickly loses its power. Italy, beating France at home for the first time since 1962, moved to the top of the group and proved that a coach's age and proven methods can sometimes outweigh the brilliance of young stars.
For Zidane, the defeat is not an end but a signal. The next match against Turkey will show whether he can adapt his philosophy to the realities of international football, where one player's mistakes can cost the whole team.
