Top spot in Nations League Group A2 will likely be up for grabs when Italy and France go head-to-head on November 17.
The two sides are on course to qualify for the quarter-finals, although Belgium could still force their way in if they win their final two games.
Regardless of the results in the fifth round of matches, fans will be clamouring to find Italy vs France tickets ahead of what will probably be the group decider.
Read on as we look at the squads and previous meetings between the two teams before offering a prediction for what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Deschamps Leaves Mbappe out of the France Squad
France head coach Didier Deschamps has not included Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe in his squad for the latest round of Nations League matches.
The 25-year-old has been unimpressive since joining Los Blancos during the summer, and Deschamps has decided not to select him.
“I’ve had discussions with him, it is a decision that I took for this block of matches only,” Deschamps told a press conference. “Kylian wanted to come.”
Mbappe was criticised in France for skipping the team’s previous Nations League games against Israel and Belgium, and it appears Deschamps was unimpressed by his decision.
The Madrid striker is reportedly considering quitting international football while Deschamps remains in charge, and it will be intriguing to see how the situation unfolds.
Several players have expressed frustration about the preferential treatment afforded to Mbappe, but Deschamps’ decision appears to blow that notion out of the water.
France squad
- Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens), Lucas Chevalier (Lille).
- Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).
- Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio), N’Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad), Manu Kone (Roma), Adrien Rabiot (Marseille), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Forwards: Bradley Barcola (PSG), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).
Barella Returns to Italy’s Squad
Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella is back in Luciano Spalletti’s squad after missing the Azzurri’s October fixtures as he underwent nose surgery.
However, defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Matteo Gabbia miss out, while Lorenzo Pellegrini and Nicolo Fagioli have also been omitted.
Daniel Maldini has been called up to the squad, following in the footsteps of his father, Paolo, who earned legendary status with the national team.
“He is a player that we have been missing,” Spalletti said. “He has a beautiful way of playing – he holds his own in tackles, he knows how to get his nose in front of defenders, and it becomes difficult to catch him.
“He knows how to play with his back to goal. Sometimes he can go quiet in games, but I’ve seen him play with continuity, and I think he’s grown significantly.
“Let’s see what effect being here has on him. I am convinced that being here can push him on. He will be encouraged to be more consistent because sometimes he dips out of games. I like talking to him because the possibilities are endless for him.”
Italy squad
- Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma, (Paris Saint-Germain), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham), Alex Meret (Napoli).
- Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Pietro Comuzzo (Fiorentina), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter MIlan), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Caleb Okoli (Leicester City), Nicolo Savona (Juventus), Destiny Udogie (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), Davide Frattesi (Roma), Samuele Ricci (Torino), Nicolo Rovella (Lazio), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United).
- Forwards: Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Daniel Maldini (Monza), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Atalanta).
Italy vs France – Previous Meetings
- May 15, 1910 – Italy v France – 6-2 – International Friendly
- Apr 9, 1911 – France v Italy – 2-2 – International Friendly
- Mar 17, 1912 – Italy v France – 3-4 – International Friendly
- Jan 12, 1913 – France v Italy – 1-0 – International Friendly
- Mar 29, 1914 – Italy v France – 2-0 – International Friendly
- Jan 18, 1920 – Italy v France – 9-4 – International Friendly
- Feb 20, 1921 – France v Italy – 1-2 – International Friendly
- Mar 22, 1925 – Italy v France – 7-0 – International Friendly
- Apr 24, 1927 – France v Italy – 3-3 – International Friendly
- Jan 25, 1931 – Italy v France – 5-0 – International Friendly
- Apr 10, 1932 – France v Italy – 1-2 – International Friendly
- Feb 17, 1935 – Italy v France – 2-1 – International Friendly
- Dec 5, 1937 – France v Italy – 0-0 – International Friendly
- Jun 12, 1938 – France v Italy – 1-3 – World Cup
- Dec 4, 1938 – Italy v France – 1-0 – International Friendly
- Apr 4, 1948 – France v Italy – 1-3 – International Friendly
- Jun 3, 1951 – Italy v France – 4-1 – International Friendly
- Apr 11, 1954 – France v Italy – 1-3 – International Friendly
- Feb 15, 1956 – Italy v France – 2-0 – International Friendly
- Nov 9, 1958 – France v Italy – 2-2 – International Friendly
- May 5, 1962 – Italy v France – 2-1 – International Friendly
- Mar 19, 1966 – France v Italy – 0-0 – International Friendly
- Feb 8, 1978 – Italy v France – 2-2 – International Friendly
- Jun 2, 1978 – France v Italy – 1-2 – World Cup
- Feb 23, 1982 – France v Italy – 2-0 – International Friendly
- Jun 17, 1986 – Italy v France – 0-2 – World Cup
- Feb 16, 1994 – Italy v France – 0-1 – International Friendly
- Jun 11, 1997 – France v Italy – 2-2 – Tournoi de France
- Jul 3, 1998 – Italy v France – 0-0 – World Cup
- Jul 2, 2000 – France v Italy – 2-1 – European Championship
- Jul 9, 2006 – Italy v France – 1-1 – World Cup
- Sep 6, 2006 – France v Italy – 3-1 – European Championship
- Sep 8, 2007 – Italy v France – 0-0 – European Championship
- Jun 17, 2008 – France v Italy – 0-2 – European Championship
- Nov 14, 2012 – Italy v France – 1-2 -International Friendly
- Sep 1, 2016 – Italy v France – 1-3 – International Friendly
- Jun 1, 2018 – France v Italy – 3-1 – International Friendly
- Sep 6, 2024 – France v Italy – 1-3 – Nations League
Italy vs France – Prediction
Italy conceded after just 13 seconds in the reverse fixture, but they battled back to record a 3-1 victory courtesy of goals by Federico Di Marco, Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori.
A draw in Belgium in their next outing would be enough to secure a quarter-final berth, but Spalletti’s side will be eager to finish with a flourish by beating France and topping the group.
Having disappointed at the 2024 European Championship, Italy have looked much improved during their Nations League campaign.
France were also a little underwhelming at Euro 2024 despite reaching the semi-finals and continued in the same vein in their Nations League opener against Italy.
They have picked up nine points since then and will probably have qualified for the quarter-finals by the time this game is played.
Italy’s performance in the reverse fixture bodes well for the chances on home soil and they are fancied to take advantage of Mbappe’s absence by claiming top spot in the group.
