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The UEFA Nations League is all set to feature a high-voltage match between Italy and France on Super Sunday. Although the two teams have already qualified for the round of 16, this game has not lost the excitement because of it. Italy and France are two of the European giants and this type of match is a matter of pride for them. So we are expecting a highly competitive clash tomorrow when Italy welcome France at the iconic San Siro.
Italy have a fantastic time under Luciano Spalletti. They are now the table topper with 13 points from the first five matches. Moreover, the Azzurri are the only unbeaten side in Group 2 of the Nations League. But it was never easy for Spalletti as a new manager. Having missed back-to-back World Cups, it’s been very difficult for any manager to motivate the team again. Spalletti is doing exactly the same – rebuilding the whole team.
“After the Swiss defeat, you asked me: ‘What will you do?’ Actually, the first question was whether I’d stay or leave. I replied that I wanted to rejuvenate the team. Do you remember? I decided to stay, and I had to bring ideas forward and explain my choices. Everyone is focused at the moment and doesn’t accept that the level of Italian football is the one described in the past,” said Italy boss Luciano Spalletti.
Meanwhile, France started their campaign in this competition with a defeat but made a strong comeback, having won three consecutive matches. But their last game ended in a shocking goalless draw against Israel.
Team News
Since both Italy and France already secured their places in the Round of 16, it is expected that the two managers will rotate the squad. Mateo Retegui has been the first-choice striker for Italy, but he is not likely to start against France. Instead of him, Moise Kean might come in the starting XI, who scored a fantastic hat-trick last week in Serie A. However, Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini remain out of the squad due to their respective injuries, while Riccardo Calafiori and Samuel Ricci are the newest additions to the injury list.
As for France, it was a big shock that Didier Deschamps did not include Kylian Mbappe in the squad for the game against Israel and Italy during the ongoing international break! Deschamps did not point out the exact reason but said, “I’ve had discussions with him, it is a decision that I took for this block of matches only.”
However, France will miss the service of Wesley Fofana, Ousmane Dembele, Loic Bade, and Aurelien Tchouameni due to their respective injuries.
Possible Lineup for Italy:
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Barella; Kean
Possible Lineup for France:
Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Hernandez; Kante, Rabiot; Olise, Zaire-Emery, Barcola; Thuram
Prediction: Italy 2-1 France
Due to the absence of Kylian Mbappe, it’s been a bit difficult for France to find the net. They struggled enough to score goals against Israel. Despite taking 28 shots, France failed to convert one. It will be a big advantage for Italy to have the home crowd behind them. Moreover, Italy are in a good form and are the favorite in this match.
Betfair Odds
Italy: 2.79
Draw: 3.33
France: 2.65
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