{"id":1499655,"date":"2026-10-03T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1499655"},"modified":"2026-10-03T15:02:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T14:02:10","slug":"lucas-da-cunha-france-italy-como-serie-a","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/lucas-da-cunha-france-italy-como-serie-a\/","title":{"rendered":"Lucas da Cunha: Why Zinedine Zidane should build France\u2019s midfield around the Como star"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Zinedine Zidane\u2019s first home game as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/france\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">France<\/a> boss didn\u2019t quite go to plan.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having secured respective 1-0 wins at Turkiye and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/belgium\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Belgium<\/a>, Les Bleus were expected to make it three victories on the spin at Italy\u2019s expense on Friday night. The Azzurri had other ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">France dominated at the Stade de France. Indeed, they enjoyed 64.6% possession. However, they failed to make their dominance count. That they came up against an inspired <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/gianluigi-donnarumma\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gianluigi Donnarumma<\/a> hardly helped. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/manchester-city\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Manchester City<\/a> man&#8217;s showing between the sticks saw <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-france-vs-italy-02-10-26\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Italy leave France with a point in a 1-1 draw<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-da-cunha-shone-despite-second-half-error\" data-level=\"3\">Da Cunha shone despite second-half error<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-frenchman-s-role-change-under-fabregas\" data-level=\"3\">Frenchman&#8217;s role change under Fabregas<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-como-s-tempo-setter\" data-level=\"3\">Como&#8217;s tempo setter<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-france-s-long-term-midfield-anchor\" data-level=\"3\">France&#8217;s long-term midfield anchor?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even so, they should have had enough in the tank to dispatch of an Italy side that, for all intents and purposes, continues to struggle. It was a somewhat stroke of luck that they left Paris with a result. Centre-back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/alessandro-bastoni\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alessandro Bastoni<\/a> found himself upfield before robbing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/lucas-da-cunha\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lucas da Cunha<\/a> of possession and coolly dispatching past <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/mike-maignan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mike Maignan<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-da-cunha-shone-despite-second-half-error\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Da Cunha shone despite second-half error<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was a home debut that was going so well for Da Cunha, too. To his credit, the Como man was played into danger by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/adrien-rabiot\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Adrien Rabiot<\/a>. Had the AC <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/milan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Milan<\/a> midfielder made a different choice, Da Cunha wouldn\u2019t have been caught on the ball by Bastoni, and France would have likely earned all the spoils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The mistake aside, it marked another impressive showing by Da Cunha. The 25-year-old was hugely effective in possession to keep play ticking over for Zidane\u2019s side. Only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/players\/dayot-upamecano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dayot Upamecano<\/a> (91) made more passes than the midfielder (85) in the French capital against Italy. A 96.5% pass accuracy was the fourth most of all starters in Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What\u2019s made, Da Cunha was unfortunate not to register an assist having created more chances (4) than any other player. He was a surprise call-up by head coach Zidane last month. In recent days, he\u2019s gone some way to nailing down the midfield anchor spot in the favoured 4-3-3 setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-frenchman-s-role-change-under-fabregas\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frenchman&#8217;s role change under Fabregas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s some going for a midfielder who has come on leaps and bounds in the seasons since his 2023 move to Como. When he joined from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/nice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nice<\/a> two years ago, it was a transfer that hardly pulled up any trees in Northern Italy. Then in Serie B, the Italian side parted with \u20ac600,000 to sign Da Cunha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ultimately, Da Cunha was instrumental as Como secured promotion to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/competitions\/serie-a-2026-2027\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Serie A<\/a> 18 months after his arrival. What\u2019s been interesting about Da Cunha\u2019s development, however, is that he was initially used as a winger. It wasn\u2019t until Cesc Fabregas took over the Como reins in July 2024 that the player began to fully realise his potential in the middle of the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Spaniard took the Frenchman and transformed Da Cunha from a wideman to a central midfielder. In the time since, he\u2019s been made captain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFabregas has definitely played an extremely important role in my development,\u201d Da Cunha said last month. \u201cI arrived as a winger in Serie B, when we were fighting relegation, and now I&#8217;m playing in the Champions League, I&#8217;ve been called up to the France squad and I&#8217;ve moved into midfield because he saw potential in me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-como-s-tempo-setter\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Como&#8217;s tempo setter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under Fabregas, Da Cunha has seen a clear improvement in the way with which he controls games. Passes per 90 have steadily increased from 54.5 in 2024\/25, to 64.9 last season. As things stand, Da Cunha is making 81.2 passes per 90. That ranks fifth of those to have made at least five appearances in Italy\u2019s top tier this term.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/03131803\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-15-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Passes per 90 in Serie A this season\" class=\"wp-image-1499657\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/03131803\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-15-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/03131803\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-15-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/03131803\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-15-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/03131803\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-15-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/03131803\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-15-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/03131803\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-15-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/03131803\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-15-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/03131803\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-15-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/03131803\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-15-59x74.jpg 59w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/10\/03131803\/season_stat-leader-top-10-no-image-15.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A 94% pass accuracy is the sixth most in the division. Unsurprisingly, Como are one of the more dominant sides in Serie A. Only Inter (63.2%) have a better possession average than Fabregas\u2019 side (61.4%) in the 2026\/27 Serie A campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not only is Da Cunha exceptionally tidy on the ball, opponents struggle to rob the Como and France star of possession. Da Cunha is yet to be dispossessed in the Italian top-flight this season. He\u2019s been done so just 44 times in 77 Serie A outings. The incident against Italy, then, was an exception to the rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-france-s-long-term-midfield-anchor\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">France&#8217;s long-term midfield anchor?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This notable press resistance is exactly why Como are able to dictate proceedings with ease. The centre-backs are happy to shift the ball to Da Cunha, safe in the knowledge he\u2019ll be able to hold off pressure to then set his side on the frontfoot. It\u2019s why, despite the gaffe against Italy, Zidane should persist with Da Cunha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">France will dominate teams, and crucial to doing so is having centre-backs comfortable to play out from the back. That\u2019s wasted without a midfielder who isn\u2019t willing to receive the ball, even under pressure from opponents. Italy\u2019s goal may have stemmed from Bastoni timing his challenge to perfection. However, this was a rare mishap from Da Cunha, who wasn\u2019t helped by his teammates in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And with France\u2019s international break drawing to a close, it\u2019s imperative that Zidane look at the bigger picture rather than a split-second decision that cost Les Bleus another three points. Da Cunha has proven he can handle the pressure for the national team. Zidane needs to build his midfield around the Como star rather than look elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Zinedine Zidane\u2019s first home game as France boss didn\u2019t quite go to plan. Having secured respective 1-0 wins at Turkiye and Belgium, Les Bleus were expected to make it three victories on the spin at Italy\u2019s expense on Friday night. The Azzurri had other ideas. France dominated at the Stade de France. Indeed, they enjoyed&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1499656,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"France","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Lucas Da Cunha impressed for France against Italy, strengthening the case for Zinedine Zidane to build his midfield around the Como star.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[27675,27672],"class_list":["post-1499655","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","squawka-category-international","squawka-category-player-analysis"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Lucas da Cunha: Why Zinedine Zidane should build France\u2019s midfield around the Como star | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta 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