In brief: Eduardo Camavinga says the change from Didier Deschamps to Zinedine Zidane has altered France’s play more than the atmosphere around the squad. The new coach wants the French national team to press higher and keep the ball, bringing what Camavinga calls a distinctly Spanish touch to its tactical approach.
Back in the France squad after a difficult spell, Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga addressed the differences between Didier Deschamps and Zinedine Zidane at a press conference ahead of the Nations League clash with Belgium. His comments offered a concise comparison between the former coach and Zidane, now in charge of the national side: the shift is not so much about life away from the pitch as about what the team is asked to do on it.
Camavinga pointed to two clear priorities under Zidane: more pressing and greater possession of the ball. Those demands suggest a change in coaching styles and in the rhythm France seeks to impose, while his reference to Zidane’s “Spanish touch” reflects the coach’s long experience in Spanish football. For a midfielder comfortable carrying the ball through pressure, the adjustment is especially relevant: the tactical approach places added value on winning possession and making use of it quickly.
Camavinga on the difference between Deschamps and Zidane
Camavinga described the off-field environment as broadly familiar, but said the football itself has changed. Rather than framing one manager as better than the other, he stressed that they have different characteristics and that the players must adapt to each coach’s expectations.
Under Zidane, France is being asked to press more aggressively and retain possession for longer spells. The distinction is practical: pressing can help the team recover the ball higher up the pitch, while patient possession gives its midfielders more opportunities to dictate the next move.
How Zidane’s pressing and possession shape France’s tactical approach
Camavinga’s comments describe a change in emphasis, not a complete break with the past. Deschamps and Zidane bring distinct coaching styles, and the midfielder’s account points to Zidane asking France to be more proactive both when chasing the ball and when building an attack.
That combination could suit Camavinga’s strengths at Real Madrid, where his ability to carry the ball can help a team move through pressure. For France, his role may therefore involve more than recovering possession: the next pass or forward run becomes just as important. The key test is whether the squad can turn those instructions into a consistent collective rhythm.
What Camavinga’s return means for the French national team
Speaking before the Belgium match, Camavinga also acknowledged a difficult period before returning to the national side. He did not present that experience as a detailed account of the reasons behind it; instead, the moment placed his comments about Zidane in the context of a player rejoining the group under a new coach.
For the French national team, his return offers another midfield option as Zidane shapes his plans. Camavinga’s capacity to help win the ball and advance it could be valuable in a system built around pressing and possession, although his influence will depend on how the coach balances individual qualities with the needs of the team.
Player development under Zidane: a fresh opportunity for Camavinga
A change of coach can reshape a player’s responsibilities without changing his position. In Camavinga’s case, Zidane’s stated preference for more pressing and possession gives the midfielder a clear framework in which to contribute: recover the ball, carry it forward and help France maintain control.
That kind of role can support player development by asking a midfielder to connect defensive work with the first stages of attack. It also puts the focus on decision-making: when to press, when to retain the ball and when to accelerate play. Camavinga’s remarks make the contrast between Deschamps and Zidane clear, while leaving the most important measure to the pitch—how effectively France can deliver on the new instructions.
