France-England Match Sparks Little Interest Amidst Anticipation for Zidane Era

As France prepares to face England, analysts express a surprising lack of public engagement with the match, despite the storied rivalry between the two nations. The sentiment among observers is that the game holds little significance for the wider audience, with one correspondent noting, "There is a jersey to respect but this match interests no one."

This subdued atmosphere surrounding the current team comes as anticipation builds for a potential new era under Zinédine Zidane. The former World Cup-winning player is reportedly preparing for the role of future French national team manager, signaling significant changes expected within the squad. Zidane, a partner of the current setup in 1998, is set to succeed his former teammate in the coming days, with numerous squad alterations anticipated.

The context for this potential shift is France's recent, demoralizing exit from the World Cup semifinals. The team suffered a decisive 2-0 defeat against Spain, a result that left the squad "devastated." Coach Didier Deschamps addressed the media after the loss, acknowledging the team's profound disappointment and the "weeping" atmosphere within the locker room, while also looking toward the future.

Le Figaro's special correspondents offer their analysis ahead of the France-England fixture, highlighting the disconnect between the historical importance of the jersey and the current lack of public interest. This sentiment underscores a period of transition for French football, marked by a recent failure and the looming prospect of a new leadership under Zidane.