France vs Italy Prediction: New start same old Les Bleus

France Lines up against Italy to play in the UEFA Nations League, a competition that was first introduced to the football public in 2018. Since then, Portugal, France and Spain have worn the coveted competition. As we enter this new Nations League season, I can't help but to think that, This French team is slowly falling apart and this test against Italy is a test for the French, especially after the Euros they have just had.

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Team News

Some players who were part of the Euro 2024 squad have been left out of the team this time around include, Inter Milan defender Benjamin Pavard, Bayern winger Kingsley Coman, and midfielder Adrien Rabiot. Olivier Giroud who is now playing in the MLS for Los Angeles FC, retired from international duty after the Euros is also not in the squad.

Leicester City’s Caleb Okoli has been called for his  first international cap. Midfielder Sandro Tonali is back in the squad after serving a suspension. Luciano Spalletti has left Nicolo Barella out of the squad and Alessandro Bastoni is out due to injury.

France Predicted Line-up (4-2-3-1): Maignan, Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez, Kante, Zaire-Emery, Olise, Griezmann, Barcola, Mbappe.

Italy Predicted Line-up (4-3-3): Donnarumma, Darmian, Calafiori, Bastoni, Lorenzo, Pellegrini, Tonali, Frattesi, Zaccagni, Raspadori, Kean.

3 Way - France 33/50

France has been drawn in the same group as Belgium, Israel and Italy. Although many will not consider this a group of death, but you have to remember that the UEFA Nations League is not just a regular competition. Each group has play off, promotion and relegation spots. First and second spot are reserved for the play off spots, with third spot reserved for the relegation play offs and fourth spot reserved for relegation to the league below.

Although this is not necessarily considered the group of death, there is a lot at stake for all the teams involved. Last season France struggled in their group and finished third behind Croatia and Denmark failing to defend their crown. They performed well in the UEFA Euro 2024, however, they fell short at the semi-final's being knocked out by eventual champions Spain.

Italy were a shadow of their 2021 side that won the Euro. They finished the competition in the round of 16, being knocked out by Switzerland. This was after finished second in a group that had Spain, Croatia and Albania. This match is looking more and more like a French win, if they have all their best players out on the pitch. The last time these two teams met, was in an international friendly in 2018. France won the game by 3-1. The last time they met competitively was in August of 2008 in that years Euro. Italy won by 2-0.

Italy are on a run of three matches without a win, no clean sheets in their last four matches and they have been the first team to concede a goal in four out of their last five matches. France should win this match with ease.

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