Nations League, Italy beats France 3-1 at San Siro and goes top of the group

Roberto Mancini's Italy beat France 3-1 at San Siro, on the fifth day of the Nations League group stage. The Azzurri, driven by over 70 thousand spectators, overturned the initial deficit with a brace from Pio Esposito and a goal from Frattesi (THE STORY OF THE MATCH ON SKY SPORT). The national team is now in first place in the group, putting a threat on qualifying for the final phase. "The boys want to redeem themselves from everything that has happened: we have to work, but little by little we will get to the finish line", said the Italian coach immediately. "Great performance: the boys were very good. I'm very happy for them and for the people who had fun."

Italy-France, the match report

At minute 10 France ahead: Italy makes a mistake in construction with Donnarumma who gives the ball to Olise, who does well to seal the lead. In the 26th minute, however, the Azzurri equalized: Cambiaghi reached the back and served in the middle at the near post where Pio Esposito was positioned to beat Maignan. Zidane's team came close to scoring in the 35th minute with a post hit by Barcola. In the second half it was Cherki who hit the post with a shot from the edge. However, Italy grows and in the 58th minute Cambiaghi wins a penalty after being brought down in the area by Malo Gusto. However, from 11 meters Sebastiano Esposito shoots wide. In the 63rd minute, Mancini's national team moves forward: Dimarco, who has just entered, serves a great assist in the center from the back for Frattesi who beats Maignan. In the 73rd foul on Vergara, another penalty for Italy: from the spot Pio Esposito scores his personal brace. The Azzurri win and reach the top of the group.

The scoreboard of Italy-France 3-1

Goals: 10' Olise, 26' and '75 (pen.) Pio Esposito, 63' Frattesi

ITALY (4-3-3): Donnarumma, Kayode, Salvini, Bastoni, Calafiori, Frattesi (28'st Doumbia), Tonali, Barella (47'st Ricci), S. Esposito (17'st Vergara), P. Esposito (47'st Scamacca), Cambiaghi (17'st Dimarco). Coach: Mancini

FRANCE (4-3-3): Maignan, Gusto (31'st Kumbedi), Upamecano, Jacquet, Truffert (31'st Diouf); Cherki (37'st Camavinga), Da Cunha, Rabiot; Olise, Barcola (31'st Kroupi), Douè (31'st Mayulu). Coach: Zidane

Booked: Jacquet, Kroupi for foul play; P. Esposito, Sticks for non-regulatory behavior.

Antonelli also at the stadium

Formula 1 world champion Kimi Antonelli was also at San Siro for the match between Italy and France. Coach Mancini praised him like this: "I believe he is a champion just as in the history of Italian sport there have been Pantani, Tomba, Valentino Rossi. They are there, unfortunately only one is born every now and then and now there is him: to win a world title at his age you need qualities that can be seen from an early age, and he had them. We must hope that, like we have had in football, more will be born."

See also

National team, Mancini calls 31: first in blue for Cisse and Liberali