Saint-Denis (France) (AFP) – Getting off to a bad start against Italy, in a match that it dominated sterilely, France relied on Michael Olise to break the deadlock: with brilliant inspiration, the right winger of the Blues avoided a disappointment for coach Zidane's first at the Stade de France.

Published on: 02/10/2026 - 23:12

We were playing the 55th minute and Zizou's Blues, with one exception, had never managed to put themselves in a sufficiently interesting striking position to worry former PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

So Olise, the only Frenchman with Désiré Doué to seriously attempt to invade the opposing area in the first period, took matters in hand with his left foot.

After a foul he suffered at the entrance to the area, Rayan Cherki rolled the ball for his winger, who with a powerful strike lobbed the wall and sent the ball into the back of the net with the help of the crossbar. Donnarumma, decisive a few minutes earlier, this time remained glued to his line (1-0, 55th).

Two goals in three games

This is the Bayern striker's second goal in three meetings with the Blues in this Nations League, after his solitary ride punctuated by a winning strike close to the post in Brussels. They added an assist for Mbappé, who scored the first goal of the Zidane era against Turkey.

These statistics, as much as Olise's influence during the three matches, relegate far away the memory of his failed end to the World Cup.

Unlike the match against Belgium, Olise's gem did not allow France to win a third time in as many games. He still had the merit of not losing it as Italy, even dominated, multiplied the clear chances.

Savior of the Blues, Olise could have been their hero in added time when he entered the Italian area, caught at the last minute by Alessandro Bastoni, without a fault, despite the bronca of the Stade de France which demanded a penalty (90th + 3, 1-1). Or how the Bavarian gradually becomes the providential man of the Blues.

providential man

A status that he already has at Bayern Munich. After this poorly finished World Cup, but where he still revealed himself to the general public, thanks to his dribbling, his silky technique and his seven assists - a record in a single edition -, Olise launched his third season with the German giant like a cannonball.

In four Bundesliga days, he scored four goals and provided two assists. His club statistics stand at 8 goals and 7 assists, including the Champions League and the various national cups.

With the early injury of Kylian Mbappé, the poor performances of Ousmane Dembélé during the two matches he played, the break made by Zinédine Zidane in the offensive animation of the Blues is taking time to reach full speed.

It in no way altered the effectiveness of Olise, repositioned from the center – which he occupied under Didier Deschamps – towards the right wing, his preferred position, where he shines in Munich. And in Blue.

© 2026 AFP

The content you are trying to access does not exist or is no longer available.