Much water has flowed under the bridge, but the blues have not forgotten the disappointment of the last Euro, with this elimination in the semi-final against Spain (1-2) at the end of a competition without brilliance. For their international return, Didier Deschamps’ men have the opportunity to launch a new cycle by striking hard against Italy, in a great classic of European football. A Nazionale that the coach does not underestimate. “Italy remains a group with individual qualities, one of the best European nations. Compared to their title in 2021 there is a gap in results which is important.”
On an individual level, all eyes will obviously be on captain Kylian Mbappé. “I’m not worried about Kylian, added Didier Deschamps. He has always scored goals, he will score goals, he will join us with a smile. The France team is better when Kylian is here. If it hadn’t been for that, he would have arrived with perhaps different psychological conditions.” Kylian Mbappé will certainly be well surrounded since the young Bradley Barcola, in great form with PSG, and the newcomer Michael Olise could get playing time.
The expected compositions
France: Maignan – Clauss, Upamecano, Saliba, T. Hernandez – Y. Fofana, Kanté – Kolo Muani, Olise, Barcola – Mbappé (cap).
Italy : Donnarumma – Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Di Marco – Frattesi, Faggioli, Pellegrini – Raspadori, Retegui, Zaccagni.
Where to watch the match?
This Nations League match will be broadcast this Friday evening on TF1, free of charge, from 8:45 p.m. It will also be possible to watch it on the group’s streaming platform via MyTF1.