Diminutive midfielder Mathieu Valbuena, nicknamed "little bike", scored with a superb volley on the turn in Marseille's 3-0 win over Spartak Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday.
He was playing out of position at centre forward with coach Didier Deschamps forced to re-shuffle his attack in the absence of the injured Andre-Pierre Gignac.
"I had this idea a long time ago. It is his best position because he can consistently find the target," said Deschamps.
Valbuena, who also scored in France's 2-1 defeat of England at Wembley last week, is now a cornerstone of the Marseille team.
Valbuena's performance, which took Marseille through the Champions League group phase for the first time since 1999/2000, also eased the pressure on Deschamps.
"I will now be able to work serenely," the coach said as Marseille, fifth in Ligue 1, prepare host second-placed Montpellier on Saturday.
"We gained a lot of confidence from that Champions League performance," said Deschamps.
"With the knockout phase in February, I know it will be easier to manage the team until then - those who play and those who do not play much."
