"Even when you face such strong teams you never play not to win. It's clear that we will always try to win." Roberto Mancini challenges the France of many talents and, on the eve of the Nations League match in Paris, tries to exploit the positive wake and enthusiasm from the victory in Turkey. On paper there would have been no match against the Transalpines: on the one hand the team that has never left the top four since 2018, when they won the World Cup, plays; on the other there is Italy which, on the contrary, has not qualified for the last three editions. And so in Paris, far from the war of stamped papers raging in Rome over the hypothesis of the FIGC being placed under commissionership, the coach from the Marches hopes to catch everyone off guard.
"We are so sorry what happened, we miss Diana Bianchedi - he explains referring to the resignation of the head of the national delegation -. She wasn't there for a long time but she was perfect with us". Meanwhile, according to Football Federation sources, minister Andrea Abodi will not attend the match in Saint-Denis. But the concentration is entirely on the challenge to Zinedine Zidane's team, the former Juventus player making his 'first' at home as coach of the Blues. "France-Italy is never a banal match, even if they are ahead at the moment and have just won three World Cups with great results, it won't be a match like the others - explains the Italian coach - It's a nice thing to play against a stronger team because it gives you the chance to beat them".
"This must be our mentality, knowing that anything can happen," insists the coach. "It will certainly be a great match against a great team with extraordinary players, but we want to make a good impression", adds Mancio, who however remains tight-lipped about the lineup. "We will evaluate it after training, when we will understand how they recovered from Türkiye - he concludes - We will certainly change less compared to the match in Bursa". The sole presence in goal of Gigio Donnarumma appears certain, certainly the best of the Azzurri. After the rest break in Coverciano, Barella, Mancini, Calafiori and Kean rejoin the group. Among those called to the double consecutive commitment there is Kayode who could compete for the place with Di Lorenzo. The same goes for Bastoni, Frattesi, Fagioli and Seba Esposito. The formation should be 4-3-3, taking care not to reveal too much on the flanks where the Transalpines are particularly effective. Zidane should field a mirror formation: the absence of Mbappé, struggling with an injury, certainly weighs heavily, but the Les Bleus attack can count on the golden ball winner Dembelé, on Doue and on an Olise in exceptional form. In midfield there is likely room for Cherki, Kone and Rabiot who will act as a link with the defense led in goal by AC Milan player Maignan.
The challenge will be played mainly on the outside with Kayode and Calafiori called to work overtime. In attack, Mancini will probably have Pio Esposito play centrally with Kean, if he is well, and Seba Esposito acting on the flanks, but Maldini's prices are on the rise. Meanwhile, the Azzurri staff is already at work for the return match against Turkey scheduled for Monday 5 October in Bologna. The Italian coach avoided the trip, so that nine players could take a breather in view of the next match: Honest Ahanor, Nicolò Cambiaghi, Diego Coppola, Daniele Ghilardi, Samuele Inacio, Eddy Kouadio, Rolando Mandragora, Massimo Pessina and Alessandro Romano remained at the federal center in Coverciano.
France-Italy, probable lineups
Probable lineups for France-Italy, a match valid for Group 1 of the Nations League scheduled for tonight at the Stade de France in Paris-Saint Denis.
France (4-3-3): Maignan, Truffert, Jacquet, Umapecano, Kounde, Rabiot, Koné, Cherki, Doué, Dembelé, Olise (Restes, Butez, Kalulu, Diouf, Yoro, Jacquet, Lacroix, Akliouche, Da Cunha, Camavinga, Lepaul, Barcola). Coach: Zidane.
Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma, Kayode, Scalvini, Bastoni, Calafiori, Tonali, Barella, Fagioli, Kean, P.Esposito, S.Esposito (Carnesecchi, Vicario, Di Lorenzo, Ruggeri, Doumbia, Frattesi, Ricci, Inacio, Maldini, Vergara, Zoma, Scamacca). Coach: Left-handed. Referee: Gil Manzano (Spain).
