This Sunday, the UEFA Nations League pits two continental heavyweights against each other as Italy hosts France at the historic San Siro Stadium. With a place in the quarter-final sealed for both, there will be plenty of flair, gamesmanship, and a dash of rivalry when these two behemoths wrap up League A Group 2.
Italy vs. France Match Preview
Italy:
Italy have been in exceptional form, resolute, and tactically brilliant under coach Luciano Spalletti. In their recent match, the Azzurri beat Belgium 1-0, courtesy of Sandro Tonali’s early strike, to stay unbeaten in their group campaign. Following an early exit at Euro 2024, Spalletti’s side has been in commanding form, consistent, and adaptable.
One of the highlights of their campaign was a 3-1 victory over France in Paris, leaving the Azzurri a draw or even a slim defeat in this game to potentially see them topping the group.
France:
While Les Bleus have had a much more bumpy ride, France got off to a good start after the defeat at Italy last September but then stumbled midweek at home against Israel in a 0-0 draw, amidst scattered security concerns and a sparse crowd at Stade de France.
Under-pressure coach Didier Deschamps, with both World Cup, 2018, and Nations League, 2021, titles under his belt, will be under the microscope to get things back on track. Without captain Kylian Mbappe-who remains absent for unexplained reasons-France will have their work cut out for them as they try to upstage Italy on home soil.
Current Form
Italy Nations League Form: WWDWW
Italy Overall Form: LWWDWW
France Nations League Form: LWWWD
France Overall Form: LLWWWD
Team News and Lineups
Italy:
Now that qualification is ensured, Italy could shuffle their pack. Striker Mateo Retegui has been instrumental this campaign but may be joined by Moise Kean, fresh from a Serie A hat-trick. Injuries to Riccardo Calafiori and Gianluca Scamacca could see Manuel Locatelli or Nicolo Rovella feature.
Predicted Italy XI:
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Barella; Kean
France:
France have a number of absentees- Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Aurelien Tchouameni included- but stars such as Theo Hernandez and Mike Maignan will be coming onto familiar territory in Milan. Marcus Thuram looks likely to lead the attack, supported by fledgling talents like Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola.
Predicted France XI:
Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Hernandez; Kante, Rabiot; Olise, Zaire-Emery, Barcola; Thuram
Prediction: Italy 1-1 France
With both teams already through into the quarterfinals, this match could be more cautious and with fewer goals. Italy will try to win to remain atop the standings, while France will look for momentum without risking key players ahead of returning back to their club duties.
