Thierry Henry praises Zidane's start with France and reveals key tactical changes

Thierry Henry praised Zinedine Zidane's start as head coach of the France national team, considering that the new coach has made a successful debut in his first matches after succeeding Didier Deschamps in leading the French team.

Thierry Henry, during his appearance on CBS Sports on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, stated that Zinedine Zidane has started his mission well, highlighting the importance of achieving positive results at the beginning of the journey to avoid raising doubts about the national team and its new coach.

The former France star added: "We drew with Italy 1-1. Perhaps the match wasn't perfect, but I generally think Zizo started very well, and I must admit that. It's always better to start this way, otherwise people will start asking questions."

According to the report, Zinedine Zidane has achieved three victories and one draw in his first four matches with France in the UEFA Nations League, having won against Turkey and Belgium 1-0 away from home, before drawing with Italy 1-1, and then winning against Belgium 4-1 at the Stade de France in the last match.

Thierry Henry's praise extended beyond results to the tactical changes implemented by Zinedine Zidane, especially the greater reliance on possession and good positioning on the pitch, with an emphasis on the technical abilities of midfield players. In this context, Henry highlighted the inclusion of Lucas Da Cunha as a starter in midfield, considering that his ability to handle the ball aligns with the technical direction Zidane aims to establish, indicating a shift in playing style from the previous period under Didier Deschamps.