Why Estéban Lepaul Won’t Play Like Ousmane Dembélé In Zinedine Zidane’s France Setup

For Matchday 2 of the UEFA Nations League, Zinedine Zidane sprung a surprise by starting Estéban Lepaul in Belgium. Following his substitute appearance against Turkey on Friday, September 25, 2026, the striker spearheaded the central attack in a 1-0 victory. Despite 9 changes to the starting line-up, the tactical setup paid off through an 88th-minute winner from Michael Olise.

This setup radically alters the attacking dynamics for France. As former international Morgan Schneiderlin pointed out, the centre-forward functions as a pure finisher inside the penalty box. That profile contrasts sharply with the style of Ousmane Dembélé, whose instinct to roam across the frontline creates space and individual disruption rather than a fixed presence inside the 18-yard box.

Deploying a genuine focal point directly transforms how France's wingers operate. With a central anchor like Estéban Lepaul pinning centre-backs, dynamic wide players must adjust their runs inside. This recentred setup demands a steadier flow of crosses to make the most of his penalty-box presence, without stifling the natural instincts of wide creators.

Out wide, Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola capitalise on the vacated space to showcase their vertical threat. The direct dribbling of Ousmane Dembélé on the right flank stretches opposing defensive lines. On the left, the explosive bursts of Bradley Barcola carve open direct routes into the 18-yard box.

The attacking toolkit also expands through the versatility of Désiré Doué. The youngster operates between the lines to smooth out transitions and link up in tight spaces. The tactical boldness of Zinedine Zidane provides the three Paris Saint-Germain creators with an ideal platform. They can now combine direct running, ingenuity and end product against compact low blocks.