After a disappointing UEFA 2024 Euro, Italy are back and will debut their Nations League campaign in Paris against France to start a new cycle under coach Luciano Spalletti. Didier Deschamps's team was eliminated in the semifinals against Spain while the Azzurri were knocked out in a disastrous defeat against Switzerland in the round of 16. Italy and France are part of Group 2 of the League A of the Nations League alongside Belgium and Israel. Here are our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Friday, September 6 | Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
- Location: Parc de Princes - Paris, France
- TV: FS2 | Live stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Odds: France -155; Draw +225; Italy +425
Team news
France: Deschamps didn't change much in his roster compared to the last tournament, despite two big names such as Inter's Benjamin Pavard and free agent Adrien Rabiot who were left out of the squad for the opening game against Italy. Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe are expected to start to support Inter striker Marcus Thuram, who will lead the attack.
Possible France XI: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Konate, T. Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Zaire-Emery; Dembele, Thuram, Mbappe.
Italy: Spalletti's team, on the other side, needs to change a lot compared to the Euro showing. The Azzurri are expected to play with a 3-4-2-1 with Atalanta's Mateo Retegui leading the attack, with Lorenzo Pellegrini and Mattia Zaccagni to support him.
Possible Italy XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Fagioli, Frattesi, Dimarco; Pellegrini, Zaccagni; Retegui.
Prediction
France are expected to start with a win against Italy, even if the Azzurri need to react after the summer's disappointment. Pick: France 2, Italy 1.
