Zinedine Zidane Strikes Back as France Boss Defends Dembele After Italy Criticism

No stranger to harsh scrutiny, Ousmane Dembélé remains calm through the latest debate. At 29 years old, with 70 caps and 13 goals, the Paris Saint-Germain forward continues to shoulder his responsibilities as vice-captain. The 1-1 draw against Italy on Friday, October 2, 2026, did not dent his resolve. Fully aware of his current attacking limits, he stays confident about turning the tide soon.

His manager stepped up swiftly to extinguish growing media criticism. During the press conference, Zinédine Zidane openly praised the work rate of his forward. "I thought he played well. Ousmane plays like Ousmane. I am happy: he moves a lot, he unbalances opponents. I have no complaints against an inspired Donnarumma," said the France national team head coach to back his key player.

Much of the debate focuses on the forward's central role inside the France national team setup. Deployed as a false nine, the former Barcelona man is still struggling to replicate the dynamic impact and creative output seen at Paris Saint-Germain. That drop in attacking cohesion raises questions among pundits, especially given how this hybrid role is supposed to free up space out wide and disrupt opposing backlines.

The Nations League clash scheduled for Monday, October 5, 2026 against Belgium offers the perfect opportunity to make adjustments. Handed a starting spot, Ousmane Dembélé has the ideal platform to show his movement creates key openings and silence the critics. A complete display would be the best way to cap off this first international window under Zinédine Zidane, while validating the manager's tactical blueprint in attack.