The French national team takes on Italy on Sunday evening in Milan on the final day of the Nations League. At stake is first place in the group, but above all a different face for Les Bleus.
What’s at stake?
Finish top of the group and leave a good last impression. The first objective will be achieved by a two-goal victory over Italy (20:45, TF1) this Sunday evening. In the San Siro cauldron, with a crowd of 68,000, the French team will also have to show a different side to the one seen against Israel (0-0) on Thursday evening in a gloomy Stade de France. This is important after a disappointing year in 2024 in terms of play and emotions.
How good is Italy?
The Nazionale face France with a mixture of excitement and respect. With a run of five matches unbeaten since the start of the competition in the group phase, Italy will finish top of the table if they don’t lose by two goals to the runners-up. After the show of force at the Parc des Princes last September (1-3)Luciano Spaletti’s men have all the weapons they need to once again cause Les Bleus problems.
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However, the Italian coach, whose top scorer is Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella with ten goals, is not getting carried away. The resounding failure of the Euro, with an elimination in the Round of 8 against Switzerland, is still a raw wound. This summer in Germany, the Squadra Azzurra came away with a calamitous record (1 win, 1 draw, 2 defeats, 3 goals scored, 5 conceded).
However, under the same coach, Italy’s turnaround has been spectacular. The 4-3-3 of the Euro has been abandoned for a 3-5-1-1 which has proved its worth since the start of the season. “Some very young players have arrived, they’re keen to work, to be together and we’re a close-knit group.”says Gianluigi Donnarumma, who starts in goal for the Nazionale this evening.
Which team will Didier Deschamps field?
Didier Deschamps is right in his boots. After Thursday night’s 0-0 draw with Israel, he appeared at a press conference with a clear message: on Sunday against Italy (20:45), his France team will be reshaped. The intention is to see more of the world. As he has done since last September, even if it goes against “collective expression”, he will be reviewing the squad.
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At least, that’s the trend, given the closed-doors conditions at the fog-shrouded San Siro stadium on Saturday evening. For the Italian challenge, Les Bleus’ coach is likely to propose a 4-2-3-1 formation with Thuram up front, Coman on the left, Olise on the right and Nkunku in support. In midfield, the Rabiot-Koné duo is expected. Gone are Kolo Muani, Zaire Emery, Kanté, Camavinga (suspended) and Barcola. In defense, Digne and Koundé could occupy the flanks with a Konaté-Saliba hinge, ahead of Maignan, who remains faithful to his position.
Les Bleus’ probable line-up
Maignan – Koundé, Konaté, Saliba, Digne – Koné, Rabiot – Olise, Nkunku, Coman – Thuram
Who’s playing for big money on Sunday evening?
In this phase of reconstruction, each match brings important elements to Didier Deschamps, on and off the pitch. The coach wants to see a lot of people to tighten up the squad for the 2025 World Cup qualifiers. With this in mind, it’s important to see the attitude and performance of Christopher Nkunku, Marcus Thuram, Michaël Olise and Kingsley Coman. With problems of efficiency, Griezmann and Giroud’s saves and Mbappé’s absence, there are places up for grabs.
Thuram, with just two goals to his name in his international career, needs to do more and better. In his Milanese backyard, he has a huge opportunity to get back into the fight against competition from Kolo Muani. Recalled last month, Nkunku, substitute for Chelsea, brilliant in Budapest against Israel (1-4)should also benefit from this evening. Olise, a disappointing but hugely talented player, is expected to bring a different attitude and a more consistent performance. As you can see, Les Bleus’ attacking style is eagerly awaited.
How can Les Bleus still finish first? And what’s the point?
The first round of the Nations League comes to a close for Les Bleus on Sunday evening (8:45pm). Second in Group 2, with ten points to Italy’s thirteen, Didier Deschamps’ men take on Luciano Spaletti’s side at the San Siro. The aim is clear: to show a different side to the calamitous 0-0 draw with Israel and finish top of the group. But what’s the point? The quarter-finals of the competition take place in March, and if France have already qualified, whatever happens in Milan, they will be facing a more affordable opponent in the event of a first-place finish.
In the other groups, Portugal, Germany and Spain are guaranteed to finish top. If Les Bleus come 2nd, they will face one of these opponents. In the event of a first-place finish, it could come down to more or less rousing names (Croatia, Netherlands or Hungary, Denmark or Serbia). The stage is set. To finish first, the world runners-up know their mission. All they have to do is beat Italy by a two-goal margin. The two nations would be tied in the standings, but the French team would move ahead of their Sunday opponents on overall goal difference.