Zinedine Zidane defends Chelsea star after 'nightmare' performance in France defeat

Malo Gusto had a game to forget in France’s defeat to Italy (Reuters)

Zinedine Zidane has defended Malo Gusto following the Chelsea defender’s poor performance during France’s 3-1 defeat to Italy on Thursday night.

Michael Olise gave France an early lead in Milan but a double from Pio Esposito, plus a goal from Davide Frattesi, handed Zidane his first loss since taking over from Didier Deschamps in July.

Gusto, who has started just three Premier League games for Chelsea this season, was selected at right-back but struggled against Nicolo Cambiaghi and gave away the foul which led to Italy’s penalty in the second half.

French media described Gusto’s performance as a ‘nightmare’, while RMC Sport host Daniel Riolo tore into the Chelsea defender after France’s defeat.

‘Malo Gusto, who never plays for his club, I don’t even know what he’s doing there,’ Riolo said. ‘He was toyed with by Bologna’s winger… I don’t understand why Zaire-Emery isn’t playing. We don’t have any full-backs, so you play with the wingers tucked in.’

When asked about Gusto’s performance after France’s defeat, Zidane replied: ‘He was called up, he played his part, he conceded the penalty, these things happen.

Zinedine Zidane has suffered his first defeat as France head coach (AP Photo)

‘I don’t think we can say that he had a bad game.

‘So there you have it, now I’m doing the analysis as a whole anyway, I’m not talking about individuals.’

France, who sit second in their Nations League Group A behind Italy, will now play Turkey in their final group game on Sunday night.

But despite the scoreline against Italy, Zidane has urged his players not to panic.

‘There were some good things, especially in the first half where we should have focused on what we did well. After that, we did some less good things,’ Zidane told TF1.