Italy once again proved a formidable foe for Zinedine Zidane, securing a 1-1 draw in Zidane's home debut as France coach Friday.
It looked set to be a joyous homecoming for Zidane at the Stade de France when Michael Olise scored a stunning opening goal in the 55th minute, firing an unstoppable shot from distance off the underside of Gianluigi Donnarumma's crossbar.
But a giveaway from Lucas Da Cunha allowed central defender Alessandro Bastoni to run through and clip a low shot inside the right post 13 minutes later. The hosts continued to be denied by an impressive Donnarumma before France's frustration was compounded late by a red card for defender Dayot Upamecano.
"I'm disappointed for the players because we deserved better," Zidane said. "We had chances to kill the game off, but we didn't, and football's like that sometimes. But it was encouraging. Honestly, I'm proud of how we played."
Zidane was facing Italy for the first time since his infamous headbutt in the final of the 2006 World Cup, which saw him sent off in extra time in the last game of his stellar career before Italy triumphed in a penalty shootout.
Having led France to the 1998 World Cup title as a player, his arrival as coach has been met with a wave of enthusiasm. A roar of approval greeted Zidane when his name was read out by the stadium announcer ahead of Friday's game.
Fans at Stade de France then broke out into chants of "Zizou, Zizou" -- the affectionate nickname Zidane is known by among French soccer fans -- and one banner read "Bienvenue Chez Toi" (Welcome Home).
A train station close to the stadium even had a message waiting for those arriving: "Welcome to Zinedine Zidane's first game in charge," a woman said over the public address system.
"It was touching," Zidane said of the ovation he received. "We would have loved to give the stadium and the whole nation a victory, but it wasn't to be."
Zidane, 54, was appointed France coach after the World Cup, replacing Didier Deschamps. Zidane won his first two games 1-0, away to Türkiye and Belgium in the Nations League, with Olise scoring a solo winner against the Belgians.
The Stade de France itself holds special value to Zidane.
He scored the first goal in a friendly against Spain when the stadium was inaugurated in January 1998, and his two powerful headers later that year helped France win the World Cup for the first time with a 3-0 victory over Brazil in the final.
For returning Italy coach Roberto Mancini, a draw at the home of the World Cup semifinalists represents an impressive result as he tries to pick up the pieces from the team's shocking failure to qualify for the past three World Cups. It was the third game at the helm for Mancini in what is his second spell in charge of the Azzurri, after a 2-0 home loss to Belgium and a 4-1 win at Türkiye.
Zidane, meanwhile, was a visible presence on the sideline in his first home game in charge.
During one first-half attack, he crouched over with his hands on his knees as if trying to get a closer look and then gesticulated with his hands to direct the move -- even though his players had their backs to him.
Zidane had said before the game that Italy remain a dangerous side despite poor recent results. Striker Moise Kean missed a close-range chance early for Italy, shooting straight at goalkeeper Mike Maignan from meters out.
Donnarumma made a double save from Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué early in the second half, then produced a brilliant low save to deny Adrien Rabiot moments after Italy's equalizer.
After Upamecano was sent off late in the game for picking up a second yellow card, Donnarumma superbly clawed away Eduardo Camavinga's shot in stoppage time.
France remain atop their Nations League group, a point ahead of Belgium with Italy a further two points back. France host Belgium in their final match of the window Monday, while Italy will welcome Türkiye.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.