On September 6, 2024, France will face Italy at the Parc des Princes in Paris for the opening match of the UEFA Nations League 2024-25.
Both teams are regarded as powerhouses in European football and will be eager to start their campaign on a high note.
With France having the upper hand in recent encounters, the question remains whether they can continue their winning streak against the Azzurri in what promises to be an engaging clash.
Match Preview
France enters this match with confidence, having won their last three international fixtures against Italy.
Didier Deschamps’ team is coming off a strong performance in the UEFA European Championships, where they reached the semifinals before narrowly losing to Spain.
In their last nine matches across all competitions, France has remained unbeaten in eight, showcasing their formidable form as they prepare for the Nations League.
However, the French squad is currently facing an injury crisis, with key players such as Wesley Fofana, Ferland Mendy, and Aurelien Tchouameni ruled out of the match.
Despite these setbacks, France still possesses an array of talent that can make a significant impact, including the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, who are likely to lead France’s attack.
Italy, managed by Luciano Spalletti, will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, where they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Switzerland.
The Azzurri’s performance was underwhelming, managing only one win against Albania and failing to score in their last three matches.
Italy’s struggles in front of goal were evident, as they netted just three times while conceding five goals.
As both teams prepare for this must-win encounter, Italy will be keen to establish a strong start to avoid relegation from League A in the Nations League.
Given their recent form, the Azzurri will need to tighten their defense and find a way to capitalize on any scoring opportunities.
Head to Head
Historically, France has held a winning record against Italy, with seven wins, one draw, and four losses in their 12 encounters dating back to 1938.
In their last five meetings, France has been victorious three times, including a 3-1 win in their most recent clash.
Italy, however, boasts a respectable overall record against France, with 18 wins, 10 draws, and 11 losses.
Despite the rich footballing heritage of both nations, their head-to-head matches have been relatively infrequent, adding to the anticipation of this encounter.
Team News
France will be missing several key players due to injury, including Wesley Fofana, Ferland Mendy, and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Nevertheless, Deschamps still has many top players available, including goalkeeper Mike Maignan and defensive stalwart Jules Kounde.
Midfield maestro N’Golo Kante is expected to play a crucial role, while the attacking trio of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, and potentially Michael Olise could pose significant threats to the Italian defense.
Italy, on the other hand, will also be dealing with absences, notably Ciro Immobile, Gianluca Scamacca, Federico Chiesa, and Domenico Berardi, all of whom have been ruled out of the match.
Gianluigi Donnarumma is likely to start in goal, and Riccardo Calafori may get a chance to shine in defense despite limited playing time at Arsenal.
Prediction
Given the current circumstances, we predict a tightly contested match that may end in a stalemate.
Both teams have shown vulnerabilities in their recent performances, and with Italy missing key attacking players, goals could be at a premium.
- Score Prediction: France 0-0 Italy
Betting Tips
Draw: Betting on a draw appears to be a logical choice considering the defensive capabilities of both teams and their recent form.
Under 2.5 Goals: With both teams struggling to find the net, placing a bet on under 2.5 total goals may yield favorable returns.
Both Teams to Score – No: Given Italy’s attacking challenges and France’s defensive strength, betting against both teams scoring could be a prudent option.
Kylian Mbappe to Score Anytime: As a key player for France, placing a bet on Mbappe to score could be a worthwhile consideration if he finds himself in a position to capitalize on scoring opportunities.