France take on fellow international football titans Italy in their first competitive meeting for 16 years when the two sides kick off their new UEFA Nations League campaigns at Parc des Princes Friday night.
Last time out in the European governing body's newest competition, Didier Deschamps could only guide Les Blues to an underwhelming third-place finish in their group with just five points from six games.
Following a hugely disappointing Euros where Deschamps’ side exited after a semi-final loss to Spain, France cannot afford a poor showing in the Nations League.
French football fans are gradually growing tired of the 55-year-olds reserved tactics that saw the 2018 World Cup winners scrap through against Belgium and Portugal in the round of 16 and quarter-final respectively.
Moreover, Les Blues scored just once outside of set-pieces and own goals, largely inhibited by captain Kylian Mbappe nursing a broken nose.
In much the same way as the French, things could not have gone any worse for Italy in their bid to defend the 2020 crown.
The Azzurri made it out of the group stages by some miracle when Mattia Zaccagni scored a late winner against Croatia; however, Luciano Spalletti’s side never really got going in the tournament.
They were knocked out in the last 16 by Switzerland, which is no great shame as the Swiss have proved formidable opponents in major competitions over the years, that being said complaints were made regarding the need for fresh blood in an ageing squad.
Euro 2020 winner Roberto Mancini departed the national team after topping the most recent Nations League group and finishing third place in the finals.
Spalletti will have hopes of replicating his predecessor.
Group 2 is extremely competitive, also featuring Belgium and Israel. Only two will qualify for a new quarter-final round, with the winners of those ties progressing to the finals in June of next year.
La Nazionale's infamous 2006 World Cup final triumph will inspire a new-look Italian eleven, but it will not be easy against a country who have got the better of them in their last three friendly meetings.
Likely lineups
Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Konate, T. Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Zaire-Emery; Dembele, Thuram
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Fagioli, Frattesi, Dimarco; Pellegrini, Zaccagni; Retegui
Team News
Despite naming a relatively unchanged squad from Euro 2024, there are some exciting new inclusions and big names dropped.
Free agent Adrien Rabiot and Inter Milan defender Benjamin Pavard have both been dropped, while Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, who recorded seven goal involvements in the Olympics, has been called up for the first time.
Recent Roma acquisition Manu Kone could be in line for his senior debut.
Olise’s fellow silver medallist Loic Bade was added to the squad after Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana withdrew to work on his fitness.
Aston Villa left-back Luca Digne replaced Ferland Mendy; Matteo Guendouzi has been brought in for more cover in the midfield.
Striker Gianluca Scamacca is unavailable owing to a recent ACL injury he suffered. Nicolo Barella will also be absent; he has undergone scheduled sinus surgery.
There are first call-ups for Marco Brescianni and Caleb Okoli.
Destiny Udogie, Moise Kean and Sandro Tonali have returned to the squad.
However, eight players from Spalletti’s Euros squad will be missing, which includes Gianluca Mancini and Jorginho.
Key Players
France – Kylian Mbappe
France’s wingers are not in the best of form at the moment following a difficult Euros; however, Mbappe opened his account for Real Madrid at the weekend following a brace in the 2-0 win over Real Betis.
With the 25-year-old departing immediately after for international duty with Les Blues, the forward ended his three-match goal draught at a crucial time.
When Vinicius Junior cut inside and let fly, rattling the post and PSG’s record goalscorer failed to power home the rebound into an empty net, it looked as though he would have to wait until after the international break for his much-anticipated first Madrid goal.
However, a smart backheel from Valverde sent the alert Mbappe clear away to calmly stroke past the keeper from close range. Jubilation.
Before long, Mbappe had two. Vinicius was brought down by the keeper Tiago Rui Silva in the box and after taking a look at the monitor the referee pointed to the spot.
Shuffling towards the ball, he whipped the ball to the opposite side of the diving Rui Silva.
Now that he has got his goals, it is likely Mbappe will take his free-scoring tendencies with him to the international stage.
Italy – Mateo Retegui
Spalletti has spoken about reverting to a back three for the foreseeable future after a lot of pragmatic tactical tinkering throughout the Euros.
Therefore, in-form Atalanta BC striker Retegui could be in line to start up front in a 3-4-2-1 formation.
The 25-year-old has already bagged himself three goals in Serie A.
A brace in the 4-0 victory over Lecce and halving the deficit in the 2-1 Torino defeat.
Last season in his maiden campaign in Italy’s top tier after arriving from Argentine side Club Atletico Tigre, the centre-forward netted a respectable nine times and contributed three assists in 31 appearances for Genoa.
Retegui earned a £21m move to Atlanta in August after Gianluca Scamacca was ruled out for six months following a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during pre-season.
Previously linked to Bologna and Italian giants Juventus, he will continue to progress his career under coach Gian Piero Gapserini and Spalletti for the national team.
Match Details
Where is the game being played?
The fixture is set to take place at Parc des Princes.
What time is kick-off?
The game is set to kick off at 7:45PM BST on Friday 6th August, 2024.
How can I watch it?
The game will not be shown in the UK, you can follow live commentary on the BBC Sport website.
