Italy vs France predicted lineups and team news | OneFootball

Two heavyweights of European international football clash in Nations League Group A2 on Sunday as France travel to Milan to take on Italy at the San Siro.

Both nations are assured of a place in the quarter-finals but it’s Italy who look on course for top spot going into this final group-stage contest, which takes place at 7:45pm UK time.

Les Bleus search for a spark at the San Siro

Italy were eliminated from Euro 2024 at the round-of-16 stage but the Azzurri have impressed with their Nations League performances, defeating France 3-1 in their opener in September and then securing 10 points from a possible 12 in home-and-away ties with Israel and Belgium.

Luciano Spalletti’s men might well have a perfect five-from-five record had Lorenzo Pellegrini not been sent off when they were leading Belgium 2-0 at home last month, a match in which the Red Devils battled back to secure a 2-2 draw.

With a quarter-final spot assured, motivation might not be at an all-time high for the Azzurri but Les Bleus will need to win by a two-goal margin to stand any chance of overhauling them at the summit of Group A2 and securing a potentially more favourable knockout draw.

Didier Deschamps’ team bounced back from their opening loss to the Italians with three straight wins over Belgium (twice) and Israel, but they were a thorn in the side of short-price bettors on Thursday in failing to beat the Israelis in the return fixture at the Stade de France.

Les Bleus, who needed only a point to make the quarter-finals, chalked up an xG (expected goals) figure of 2.22 but they were unable to find the net in a 0-0 draw, a result which made Kylian Mbappe’s absence all the more keenly felt.

Italy vs France team news:

Both Italy and France appeared to emerge unscathed from Thursday’s matches so neither coach will be forced into any changes at the San Siro on Sunday, although rotation looks almost certain.

Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori was ruled out prior to the international break for Italy, who will also have to contend without Samuele Ricci, Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini. Spalletti could turn to Manuel Locatelli in central midfield and in-form Moise Kean is in line to get the nod up front ahead of Mateo Retegui.

France’s problems are more extensive, highlighted by the continued absence of Mbappe, who was not named in the squad for personal reasons.

Fellow forward Ousmane Dembele is also sidelined while Wesley Fofana and Aurelien Tchouameni are among those who were unavailable for selection due to injury.

Deschamps will want to freshen up France’s forward line after the goalless display against Israel and Marcus Thuram, who plies his trade at the San Siro with Inter Milan, could come in for Randal Kolo Muani in the central striker position.

Kingsley Coman, Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola and Christopher Nkunku are all vying for a place in Les Bleus’ starting line-up while Adrien Rabiot could return to the midfield alongside N’Golo Kante.

Italy vs France predicted XIs: