Italy Aims for Victory Against France in Nations League Clash
Roberto Mancini acknowledges that few anticipated Italy’s challenge against France for the Nations League group lead tomorrow, but his players are determined to “give the fans something to cheer” while overcoming their San Siro struggles.
The match is scheduled to kick off on Thursday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET) at San Siro.
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Currently, Italy holds the second position in Nations League Group 1 with seven points, while France leads with ten. Belgium is close behind with six points. The final matches will see Italy traveling to Belgium, while France goes up against last-placed Turkiye.
Mancini’s Ambition for Italy
Roberto Mancini at a press conference at Coverciano in Florence, Italy. Picture courtesy of Lorenzo Bettoni.
“We are certainly seeking to confirm and improve the previous performances, and seeing as we have seven points and two games left to play, we can qualify too,” said Mancini in his press conference.
“This seems to be a positive and, considering how things started, a little unexpected.”
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Mancini’s return to the bench followed a concerning 2-0 defeat to Belgium, which raised fears of relegation to Nations League B. However, the team is now close to qualifying for the quarter-finals.
BURSA, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 28: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Italy, looks on before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Türkiye and Italy at Atatürk Spor Kompleksi Matli Stadyumu on September 28, 2026 in Bursa, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
“We had a good game in France, including in those moments when we had to defend, because they are a great team. There were areas where we can improve, and we hope to do that tomorrow in order to win the match.”
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That 1-1 draw in Paris significantly boosted Italy’s confidence, as it marked the only point loss for Zinedine Zidane’s France.
Gianluigi Donnarumma makes a save during Italy’s 1-1 Nations League draw in France (@azzurri)
“It was a difficult match in certain moments; France kept us pinned back. In the second half, Gigio rescued us, but tomorrow’s game will be different. We will try to win against one of the best sides in the world,” Mancini stated.
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“Zidane has won almost every match, knows the players well, and has enjoyed a successful coaching career at Real Madrid. I believe he will excel in international coaching as well.”
Playing at San Siro presents unique challenges, particularly for Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has faced jeering since leaving Milan as a free agent, despite now being with Manchester City.
“Gigio is a fantastic goalkeeper and an exceptional young man. Regardless of past events, he does not deserve to be booed. We hope fans come to support the team, and we aim to give them something to cheer about,” Mancini added.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Sandro Tonali of Italy makes a pass whilst under pressure from Joshua Kimmich of Germany during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
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San Siro is not a friendly venue for the Nazionale, having lost their last three matches on this ground.
“However, I won my most recent match here, and that was no easy feat, especially against England.”
The stadium serves as home to both Inter midfielder Nicolò Barella and Milan forward Alphadjo Cisse, the latter possibly making his senior debut for Italy.
“I am unaffected by the fact we are at San Siro; my decisions will be made regardless of the stadium setting. These are two players who have recently performed well, which is positive for everyone,” Mancini stated.
Inter is known for its 3-5-2 formation, and therefore, Alessandro Bastoni, along with Federico Dimarco, will need to adapt to Mancini’s 4-3-3 style.
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“They have also played in a four-man defense, so it won’t take many training sessions to get them comfortable there.”
BURSA, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 28: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Italy, looks on before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Türkiye and Italy at Atatürk Spor Kompleksi Matli Stadyumu on September 28, 2026 in Bursa, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
There are reports France could be without Kylian Mbappé due to a hamstring injury that kept him from training today, alongside several other absences including Marcus Thuram, Pierre Kalulu, Aurelien Tchouaméni, Manu Koné, William Saliba, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, Ousmane Dembélé, Maghnes Akliouche, and Esteban Lepaul.
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“If Michael Olise were to catch a cold, I wouldn’t mind,” Mancini quipped.
“With Champions League commitments ahead, I wouldn’t risk Mbappé; resting him seems wise for tomorrow’s match. All joking aside, playing against strong opponents is the essence of football. We need to give our all, aim for victory, and build upon our previous performances.”
“France features numerous talented strikers, making it honestly difficult to select just a few,” Mancini remarked.
Roberto Mancini at the Italy training session in September 2026 (figc.it)
Italy has also experienced changes, with Gianluca Mancini sidelined due to injury and Nicolò Zaniolo withdrew due to personal issues.
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“Currently, we have very young wingers with limited experience, but this is an opportunity for them to gain valuable experience. Hopefully, in six months, everyone will have developed and improved,” Mancini elaborated.
“We need to bring in young players to assess their potential both for the present and future needs,” the coach explained. “With widespread demand for young talent, I felt it was logical to call them up for training alongside more seasoned players, which can greatly benefit their development.”
