Zidane faces Italy with no regrets over 2006 headbutt

The upcoming match between France and Italy carries significant emotional weight, particularly for Zinedine Zidane. The former player, now leading Les Bleus, addressed his infamous conduct in the 2006 World Cup final ahead of Friday’s fixture. He stated clearly that while he is not proud of the head-butt delivered to Marco Materazzi, he harbors no regrets regarding the incident.

Reflections on the 2006 Final

Images of the red card shown by referee Horacio Elizondo continue to circulate widely. Zidane acknowledged seeing these replays during a press conference. He emphasized that the event remains a part of his career history but does not define it entirely. "I haven’t spoken to Materazzi since that day," Zidane noted. He added that he prefers to focus on the positive and enjoyable moments from his playing days rather than dwelling solely on the controversy.

"It is very emotional being back here, and will be even more so tomorrow when the stands are packed with fans," Zidane said. He expressed confidence in his current role, stating that fear plays no part in his mindset. "I’ve never thought about failure in my career, on the contrary, I see only opportunities," he explained. The coach affirmed his commitment to making the most of his squad's potential.

Nations League Context and Squad News

France enters this encounter after securing victories in their first two Nations League matches. Both games ended 1-0, with wins recorded away against Turkiye and Belgium. This fixture marks the first home game for Zidane as coach, having succeeded Didier Deschamps. The match kicks off at the Stade de France in Paris at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

Italy approaches the game with mixed results in Group A. They suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Belgium before rebounding with a 4-1 victory in Bursa. For France, the absence of Kylian Mbappé due to a knee injury presents a challenge. However, Zidane dismissed concerns about depth. "There is no A Team and B Team, only a squad of 23 players," he asserted. He indicated that rotation choices would depend on specific match requirements.

Security Controversy Surrounds Camp

Preparation for the match was disrupted by reports concerning team security. L’Equipe alleged that Momo Sanhadji, the long-time security chief, had solicited money from approximately 15 players during his 20-year tenure. Amounts reportedly reached up to €120,000. Consequently, Sanhadji was removed from the Clairefontaine camp prior to the game.

Zidane commented on the situation with caution. "I’m not happy, because I know him very well," he admitted. He declined to discuss the ongoing investigation further, noting that other parties were handling the matter. Despite the controversy, Zidane wished Sanhadji well and recalled the positive experiences they shared within the national team setup.