Allibert sees future Maignan in Restes, Zidane keeps suspense over Belgium clash

Zinédine Zidane refused to reveal his goalkeeper choice on the eve of the France-Belgium match at Stade de France, merely stating that Mike Maignan remains his number one. The question of whether Guillaume Restes will make his first France start therefore remains open.

“You’ll see tomorrow who plays. Mike is our starter in goal and the other two are working really well. We’ve already discussed it with Fabien,” the coach said at his press conference, referring to Fabien Barthez, the goalkeeping coach on the French staff.

While Zidane maintains the suspense, it is his coach at Toulouse FC who paints the most flattering portrait of the young goalkeeper. Éric Allibert, who has worked with Restes for four seasons and also worked with Maignan during his time at Lille, sees many similarities between the two. “When I started working with Guillaume, I told him he reminded me of Mike in certain things,” he said in La Dépêche.

These similarities go beyond purely technical aspects. Allibert emphasizes their shared demands and their approach to the profession: “In the game and in the demands, especially. In preparation, in mentality. You have to keep up with them, you’d better be in shape. They’re guys who are hyper professional and demanding. Towards others and towards themselves.”

One area remains a work in progress for Restes: distribution. Allibert explains that he has adjusted his training sessions accordingly. “Guillaume needs specific things, particularly a lot of work on his feet. That doesn’t bother me, even if I prefer a goalkeeper who makes saves to one who completes 25 long passes. But being a goalkeeper today is a complete package. So I adapted to that,” he explains, emphasizing that the Toulouse player’s progress rests above all on “discussion, adaptation, open-mindedness”.

If Zidane ultimately chooses to start Restes against the Belgians, the 20-year-old goalkeeper will take to the Stade de France pitch with the blessing of a coach who, better than anyone, knows both his potential and the road he still has to travel.