Cherki started in midfield at San Siro but struggled to influence the match as Italy recovered from conceding an early goal. The Manchester City player was also critical of some of his team-mates during the game, attempting to encourage a response after the second and third Italian goals.
According to L'Équipe, however, his interventions were not always well received, particularly after he had repeatedly reproached other players earlier in the contest.
Speaking to TF1 after the final whistle, Cherki offered a detailed explanation of what he felt had gone wrong.
“I think it was quite a difficult, quite a closed match. We started well. We did what was needed, pressing them high, as we did for the goal. After that, it became a more difficult game. We should have moved the ball around more quickly. Unfortunately, we didn't do that, but it will allow us to learn a lot of lessons.
“Everything couldn't be perfect. We tried to do the best we could, but tonight we are very frustrated.”
The midfielder believes France were capable of creating problems for Italy when they played with greater speed, but became predictable when they took too many touches and allowed their opponents to settle into their defensive shape.
“I think we move around well and find each other well, but at certain moments in the game we don't play quickly enough, and that made a big difference. When we found each other quickly, we immediately caused danger. When we put together sequences with too many touches, it became more difficult.
“It's a shame because there was space. We mustn't forget that the road is still very long. There is nothing worrying about tonight's performance.”
Cherki also pointed to the need to switch play more frequently when facing opponents defending in a compact block, rather than concentrating their attacks on one side.
“Perhaps there was a lack of success. When you go onto the pitch against teams sitting deep, you mustn't hesitate to move the ball from left to right, from right to left. You shouldn't stay on just one side, for example.
“I think I didn't touch my first ball until the 14th minute, and Michael didn't either. That shows that perhaps we didn't move the ball around enough.”
His reference to Michael was to Michael Olise, who scored France's opening goal before Italy turned the match around through Francesco Pio Esposito, Davide Frattesi and a second goal from Esposito.
Despite the defeat, Cherki refused to suggest that France's performance should trigger alarm. He believes the match provided useful evidence of where the team need to improve, particularly in their ability to maintain attacking rhythm against organised opponents.
Zidane also played down the result after the match, saying France remained in contention and that the players should not panic. The coach agreed there were areas to improve but insisted the defeat was not a complete failure.
France must now respond in their next Nations League fixture against Turkey, with Cherki's assessment providing a clear indication of the adjustments he believes are required.