Two months after being eliminated in the semi-finals of the Euro by Spain, the eventual winner, the French team is back on campaign. This time it is the Nations League with a first match against Italy at the Parc des Princes (8:45 p.m.). Didier Deschamps is taking advantage of this first international break to do some tests and call up three newcomers: Loïc Badé, Manu Koné and Michael Olise. They will probably not all play tonight against a Squadra Azzurra, who are coming off a disappointing Euro, eliminated in the last 16 by Switzerland.
For one evening, the coach should forget his favorite 4-3-3 to drop a 4-2-3-1 offering more responsibilities to the attacking players. Mike Maignan, a new executive in the group, is starting to be a starter behind a defense that he knows almost by heart. If Clauss is expected to let Koundé rest on the right side, Upamecano and Saliba would form the central hinge, leaving Konaté on the bench as at the Euro. On the left, Theo Hernandez is expected to start the match.
Olise to start his first selection?
In midfield, and in the absence of Adrien Rabiot, whose free agent situation worries his coach, N’Golo Kanté is still part of the adventure. The Al-Ittihad player will be associated with Youssouf Fofana, new recruit from AC Milan. They will have to be strong. Deschamps plans to line up 4 attacking players. First, there is Kolo Muani on the right, the attraction Barcola on the left, and the curiosity Olise in the axis. The latter is expected to be a starter for his first selection to the detriment of Griezmann. They will support the captain, Kylian Mbappé.
Opposite, Italy does not have the same look. Luciano Spalletti prepares a team in 3-5-2 with Donnarumma in goal. The Italian captain, who knows the stadium well, would be protected by a defense made up of Di Lorenzo, Bastoni and Calafiori, who left a good impression at the Euro. Bellanova and Dimarco should occupy the piston roles, leaving a fairly dense midfield occupied by the trio Frattesi-Ricci-Tonali. The latter is making his return to the national team after a year of suspension. Finally, Raspadori will play a little behind Retegui.
