The French team has just had a disappointing summer. Although they reached the semi-finals of EURO 2024, their performance was actually very lackluster, when they only scored 1 goal apart from set pieces and an own goal.
Captain Kylian Mbappe, who was expected to score the most, only managed one goal. Coach Didier Deschamps was once again criticized for his tactics.
France will need to improve their form when they enter the 2024-25 Nations League. Remember, the bottom team in each group will be automatically relegated, while third-placed teams will have to enter a play-off to avoid relegation. Grouped with Belgium and Israel, neither France nor Italy can afford to be complacent.
On the other side, Italy also disappointed at EURO 2024 when they struggled to overcome a difficult group thanks to Mattia Zaccagni's last-minute goal against Croatia, before being eliminated in the round of 16.
Luciano Spalletti's men were beaten by Switzerland, ending their European title defence. Doubts over Spalletti's coaching have been growing, and the team will continue to be under pressure heading into the Nations League.
Before meeting Israel next week, La Nazionale will face France - an opponent they have lost to in their last three friendlies.
But this will be the first official match between Italy and France in about 16 years, so fans are paying close attention to the match at the Parc des Princes.
Expected lineup:
France: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Konate, T. Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Zaire-Emery; Dembele, Thuram, Mbappe
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Ricci, Tonali, Frattesi, Dimarco; Raspadori, Retegui
