France vs Italy Preview, Prediction, Lineups and Team News | Nations League

Preview

• Tournament: UEFA Nations League
• Date: Friday, Sep 06
• Kick-off Time: 07:45 pm GMT
• Venue: Parc des Princes, France

France national football team will welcome the Italy national football team in the group-stage clash of the Nations League campaign at the Parc des Princes. France have a very settled squad with an array of talent in both their defensive and offensive ranks.

Despite reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2024, France’s national football team lacked precision in the final third as they registered only two goals from open play throughout the competition. The former World Champions will be aiming to get off to a winning start on their home soil. This will be Didier Deschamps’ seventh major tournament as manager of the French side.

Meanwhile, Italy’s national football team produced uninspiring performances in the UEFA Euro 2024 this summer and crashed out from the last 16 stage. Injuries played a major role in their underwhelming performance but they are no longer blessed with attacking riches in the final third.

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France vs Italy Team News

France national football team news

Real Madrid players Aurelien Tchouameni and Ferland Mendy withdrew from the French squad due to their respective injuries. Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi and Aston Villa left-back Lucas Digne were called up as replacements for the duo. English-born attacker Michael Olise earned his first call-up from the senior French national squad. Free agent Adrien Rabiot is a notable absentee from the Les Blues squad.

Italy national football team news

Meanwhile, for Italy, defensive stalwart Alessandro Bastoni has been called up to the Nations League squad but will miss this tie. The Inter Milan defender is expected to return in time for Italy’s next game against Israel. Midfielder Sandro Tonali makes a return to the Azzurri after serving a 10-month ban. However, Inter midfielder Nico Barella will undergo a nose operation and miss this tournament.

Predicted Lineups

France national football team predicted lineup:

Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Kante, Kone, Zaire-Emery; Dembele, Kolo Muani, Mbappé

Italy national football team predicted lineup:

Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Buongiorno, Udogie; Frattesi, Fagioli, Pellegrini; Retegui, Kean, Raspadori

Head-to-Head

The two sides have faced off only 37 times in the past, with Italy winning 18 of those games. France have won only 11 ties between both sides, whereas the remaining eight games ended in a draw.

Last result:

France 3-1 Italy – International Friendly – June 01, 2018
Italy 1-3 France – International Friendly – September 01, 2016
Italy 1-2 France – International Friendly – November 14, 2012
France 0-2 Italy – UEFA European Championship – June 17, 2008
Italy 0-0 France – UEFA European Championship – September 08, 2007

Key Players to Watch out for

Kylian Mbappe (France)

This would be Kylian Mbappe’s first game at the international level as a Real Madrid player. The Frenchman has struggled to find his feet in La Liga but managed to score a brace in his last game for Los Blancos. Mbappe is just one goal short of taking his international tally to 50.

Riccardo Calafiori (Italy)

Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori signed a long-term contract with Arsenal after spending only one season with Bologna. The 22-year-old defender made his first start for the Azzurri in the Euros this summer and could be one of the standout players on the roster.

France vs Italy Prediction

France’s national football team are favourites for this tie as they have comfortably won their last three head-to-head meetings with the Azzurri. France reached the semi-finals of Euro 2024 eventually slumping to a 2-1 loss at the hands of eventual winners Spain. Les Blues boast an outstanding wealth of offensive talent but were very inconsistent in the final third.

Italy’s national football team, meanwhile, crashed out of the European Competition in Germany at the Round of 16 stage with a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Switzerland. The Azzuri have reached the finals of the Nations League on two occasions but could never win the competition.

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Predicted Score: France 2-0 Italy 

Betting tips and Odds (subject to change)

• France win – 1.66
• Italy win – 5.00
• Draw – 3.80
• Odds source – Unibet

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