Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2022/23 UEFA Nations League
League A - Group 2
Matchday 1
France v Italy
Parc des Princes
Paris, France
Friday, 6 September 2024
Kick-off is at 18h45
The opening round of the 2024-25
UEFA Nations League has served up a real treat in League A as France and Italy go head-to-head at Parc des Princes on Friday, September 6.
Les Bleus won the title in 2020-21 when they triumphed 2-1 over Spain in the final to go unbeaten throughout the competition - the only time they've progressed from the group stages.
Didier Deschamps' side were pipped to top spot by Netherlands on goal difference in 2018-19 and they finished a disappointing third in their group in 2022-23 after winning just one of their six games.
France were favourites to lift the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024 trophies, but they lost to Argentina in the final of the former and fell to Spain in the semi-finals of the latter.
Italy have shown some consistency in the UEFA Nations League after reaching the semi-finals of the last two editions before going on to finish third each time.
Spain proved to be their nemesis on both occasions to deny the Azzurri a place in the final, although it is still the best they've fared since winning Euro 2020.
The four-time world champions failed to even qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and only made it as far as the round of 16 at Euro 2024 after crashing out to Switzerland.
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
France talisman Kylian Mbappe scored just one goal in Germany, although he had to play with a face mask after suffering a broken nose in the opening match against Austria, and has received the backing from his manager.
"The French national team is better when Kylian is there. From experience, being in the French national team is a break that is good for many of them," Deschamps said.
"He was not effective - at first - but I spoke to him and he feels good. Obviously he is not at his best yet, but he is not a robot or a superman. Expectations are high.
"He has a great capacity to absorb everything that happens on and off the pitch. But we can understand that human fatigue can be significant."
Image copyright: Getty Images
Italy manager Luciano Spalletti feels he put too much pressure on his players at the European Championship and admits he needs to show more care with implementing changes.
"When we talk about failure at the Euros, we need to be more precise in our analysis, because in my opinion, it only relates to the game against Switzerland, which was very bad," Spalletti said.
"Now, we turn a new page and from now on, we have to think more about our identity. I am going to create a new group, a new team, putting less pressure on them and hopefully they feel the beauty of the Azzurri shirt even more.
"I probably put too much pressure on them and did not give them the opportunity to enjoy the experience in an Italy shirt. I need to be careful with trying new things or bringing a new message.
"I think this is the time to try something different, which inevitably means excluding some players."
Head-to-Head record:
Matches - 39
France wins - 12
Italy wins - 19
Draws - 8
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