UEFA Nations League,
League A – 3
France
FRA
2/10/2026
19:45
Italy
ITA
-
Venue
- Stade de France
-
Referee
- Jesus Gil Manzano
Preview for France v Italy
The Zinedine Zidane impact might be on full present tomorrow night time when France face Italy in entrance of an expectant crowd in Paris.
The previous Les Bleus midfielder has introduced in a wave of optimism following his appointment as successor to the long-serving Didier Deschamps. Two successive 1-0 away wins has seen causes for optimism on the pitch and that has been matched off it with tickets for the sport with the Azzurri promoting out in minutes.
France have appeared strong of their opening two Nations League video games, successful in Turkey earlier than a late marvel aim from Michael Olise gave them victory over Belgium on Monday night time. Zidane’s exuberant celebrations, charging down the touchline earlier than booting a stray ball as arduous as he might, typified the emotion he has delivered to the position following the pragmatic method adopted by Deschamps.
Zidane does, after all, have historical past with Italy. After 5 superb seasons with Juventus, he then turned pantomime villain within the nation after head butting Marco Materazzi in the course of the 2006 World Cup last, a sport Italy ultimately gained on penalties.
Italy will arrive in France trying to rebuild their shattered status after failing to achieve the World Cup for the third successive time earlier this yr.
Roberto Mancini was introduced again in for a second spell in cost and the outcomes thus far have been combined. A house defeat to Belgium hinted at a continuation of their current struggles however the method of their 4-1 win in Turkey final day trip has provided hope the person who led them to the Euro 2020 crown might spark a revival.
A visit to the Stade de France is one other key indicator of their progress. A draw can be a improbable outcome for Italy and supply hope for the rest of the marketing campaign and past.
Nations League Group A1 Desk
League A – Group A
- Place 1, 2 : Play Offs: Quarter-finals
- Place 3 : Relegation Playoffs
- Place 4 : Relegation
Crew Information for France v Italy
Zidane opted to make 9 adjustments for the sport with Belgium however a number of big-hitters are poised to return, together with Olise and present Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele. Captain Kylian Mbappe stays sidelined resulting from a knee harm sustained in opposition to Turkey.
Mancini named a big squad for this elongated worldwide break and the Italian FA confirmed on Thursday morning that 9 gamers – Sincere Ahanor, Nicolò Cambiaghi, Diego Coppola, Daniele Ghilardi, Samuele Inacio, Eddy Kouadio, Rolando Mandragora, Massimo Pessina, Alessandro Romano – would stay at Coverciano and never make the journey to France.
Anticipated line-ups for France v Italy
France: Maignan; Kalulu, Upamecano, Lacroix, Truffert; Cherki, Kone, Rabiot; Olise, Dembele, Doue
Italy: Donnarumma; Kayode, Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Barella, Fagioli, Tonali; Cambiaghi, P Esposito, Maldini
Current Kind & Stats for France v Italy
- Italy maintain the higher hand general. They’ve gained 20 of their earlier 41 conferences. France have gained 12 with 9 attracts.
- The away facet gained each of the final Nations League conferences. Italy gained 3-1 in Paris and France gained 3-1 at San Siro within the 2024-25 marketing campaign. Not one of the final 5 video games between the 2 has been a draw.
- Michael Olise has been concerned in 13 targets in 14 France video games in 2026. That features coming off the bench to attain the winner in opposition to Belgium.
- Francesco Pio Esposito has six targets in 11 video games for Italy. The 21-year-old scored and arrange a aim within the 4-1 win over Turkey.
The place to Watch France v Italy: TV and on-line streams
France versus Italy kicks off at 7.45pm on Friday night time.You’ll be able to watch it within the UK on Amazon Prime Video.
Prediction for France v Italy
Italy will enhance below Mancini however it appears unrealistic to anticipate them to problem France in Paris.
France have but to concede below Zidane and we fancy that to proceed and the likes of Dembele and Olise to threaten on the different finish.
France
2 – 0
Italy