Italy and France Set to Battle in Nations League Showdown
Italy plans to field Pio Esposito, Sandro Tonali, Riccardo Calafiori, and Michael Kayode during their crucial Nations League match. Meanwhile, France will depend on Michael Olise as they cope without star striker Kylian Mbappé.
The match kicks off at San Siro, the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, on Thursday at 19:45 GMT (20:45 CET).
Advertisement
Only the top two teams from Group A1 will advance to the quarter-finals of the Nations League. Currently, France leads the group with 10 points, followed by Italy with seven and Belgium with six.
The final round will feature Italy taking on Belgium in Brussels, while France will host last-placed Turkiye.
BOLOGNA – OCTOBER 05: Roberto Mancini, Manager of Italy, reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and Türkiye at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on October 05, 2026 in Bologna. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Roberto Mancini is likely to stick with his preferred 4-3-3 formation, although there are quite a few doubts over the starting XI.
Advertisement
Brentford right-back Kayode has performed well enough to secure his place, while Arsenal’s Calafiori at left-back suggests that Federico Dimarco from Inter will sit out.
An alternative could involve moving Calafiori into central defence alongside Alessandro Bastoni, allowing Dimarco to start and sending Giorgio Scalvini to the bench.
BURSA, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 28: Michael Kayode of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammate Sandro Tonali during 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)
Advertisement
In midfield, Davide Frattesi and Tonali are likely to start, with Nicolò Barella from Inter expected to complete the trio.
Striker Pio Esposito will lead the front line, but the remaining two spots are uncertain.
His older brother Sebastiano Esposito appears to be the leading candidate on the right flank, while Nicolò Cambiaghi from Bologna seems favored over Luca Koleosho on the left wing.
France coach Zinedine Zidane will not have the services of Real Madrid forward Mbappé due to a hamstring injury. Interestingly, he also missed when these teams played to a 1-1 draw on October 2.
Advertisement
Mbappé’s absence adds to the list of missing players, including Marcus Thuram, Pierre Kalulu, Aurelien Tchouameni, Manu Koné, William Saliba, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, Ousmane Dembélé, Maghnes Akliouche, and Esteban Lepaul.
The front three likely will consist of Olise, Désiré Doué, and Bradley Barcola, though the arrangement remains uncertain.
Barcola may need to shift into a centre-forward role, despite not being marked for that position initially.
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – SEPTEMBER 28: Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium shoots under pressure from Bradley Barcola of France during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Belgium and France at Stade Roi Baudouin on September 28, 2026 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Advertisement
If not, then Eli Junior Kroupi or 20-year-old Senny Mayulu could emerge as surprise starter options at centre-forward.
Serie A representation includes Milan’s Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot, while Como’s Lucas Da Cunha is poised to start, although Eduardo Camavinga could be called upon if needed.
In defense, Bournemouth’s Adrien Truffert appears favored over Inter’s Andy Diouf for left-back, with either Ibrahim Konaté or Jérémy Jacquet occupying a central defending position.
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 02: Rayan Cherki of France reacts alongside teammate Adrien Rabiot before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between France and Italy at Stade de France on October 02, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pauline Figuet/Getty Images)
Advertisement
Italy vs. France probable line-ups
Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Kayode, Scalvini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Frattesi, Tonali, Barella; S Esposito, Pio Esposito, Cambiaghi
France (4-3-3): Maignan; Gusto, Konaté, Upamecano, Truffert; Cherki, Da Cunha, Rabiot; Olise, Barcola, Doué
