France host Italy in a huge Nations League showdown in Paris tonight where the French are expected to prevail.
Les Bleus are in action for the first time since they were beaten in the Euro 2024 semi-finals by Spain, with long-serving manager Didier Deschamps keeping his job despite that disappointment in Germany.
It was an even more frustrating summer for Italy, who scraped through their group in unconvincing fashion and were then beaten by Switzerland in the last 16, in what was a hugely disappointing defence of their European crown.
The focus now shifts to the Nations League for Azzurri head coach Luciano Spalletti, with these two sides drawn in the same group (A2) as Belgium and Israel.
Michael Olise has earned a first senior call-up for France, after impressing at the Olympics on home soil. He will hope to make his debut, though the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele are expected to start.
Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana has pulled out of the squad as a precautionary measure, with Loic Bade of Sevilla replacing him, while Lucas Digne is a late call-up due to Ferland Mendy’s injury problems.
Destiny Udogie, Moise Kean and Sandro Tonali all missed Euro 2024 but are included in this latest Italy squad, but Gianluca Scamacca remains out with an ACL injury.
Jorginho and Federico Chiesa were not called up, with Matteo Darmian and Gianluca Mancini also excluded.
France vs Italy prediction
Italy were largely unimpressive at the Euros and this is an incredibly tough test for them as they look to swiftly bounce back.
Maltasport prediction:
France 2 Italy 0
