France host Italy at the Stade de France on Friday in new coach Zinedine Zidane’s first home match in charge, a fixture that brings memories of the 2006 World Cup final.
Match Preview
There is no escaping the symbolism of Friday’s meeting. Zidane’s very last act as a professional footballer came against this same opponent, in a World Cup final in Berlin that remains one of the most talked-about matches in the sport’s history.
With the score level at 1-1 deep into extra time, Zidane himself having opened the scoring from the penalty spot with an audacious Panenka, the France captain was sent off for headbutting Italy defender Marco Materazzi in the chest, reportedly in response to a personal insult. France went on to lose the ensuing penalty shootout 5-3, handing Italy their fourth World Cup title and bringing Zidane’s glittering career to an abrupt and controversial end. He never kicked a ball competitively again.
Twenty years on, Zidane returns to face the Azzurri not as a player seeking redemption, but as the man now tasked with restoring France to the summit of the international game. “It is going to be really emotional,” Zidane admitted ahead of the match, reflecting on a Stade de France where his last appearance as a player came in a 2006 farewell friendly against Mexico.
His first steps in the France dugout have been quietly impressive: back-to-back 1-0 wins over Turkey and Belgium have made Les Bleus the only side in League A yet to concede a goal this Nations League campaign, even if the performances have occasionally relied on fortune as much as control.
Italy, by contrast, arrive in Paris having endured a bruising start of their own under Roberto Mancini, losing 0-2 to Belgium on the opening matchday before responding with a statement 4-1 win over Turkey.
That victory has eased some of the pressure following a difficult opening to Mancini’s second spell in charge, but a daunting trip to face an unbeaten France side, buoyed by a raucous home crowd and a manager walking into his own personal piece of history, represents a serious litmus test of how far the Azzurri’s rebuild has actually progressed.
Team News
France will again be without talisman Kylian Mbappe through injury, a notable absence given his nine-goal involvement record is central to the side’s attacking output, though Zidane’s squad depth has so far papered over the gap.
Having fielded a significantly weakened side for the win over Belgium, Zidane is expected to recall a host of key names for his side’s first home fixture, restoring a strong blend of experience and emerging talent across the pitch. Michael Olise, the matchwinner against Belgium, is expected to keep his place after a crucial late strike at Stade Roi Baudouin.
Italy will assess the fitness of several squad members after a demanding run of fixtures within the same international window, with Mancini having already made changes between the Belgium and Turkey matches to manage his squad’s workload.
Francesco Pio Esposito and Sebastiano Esposito both impressed in the win over Turkey and are expected to retain their involvement, while Mancini will be targeting a more resolute defensive showing having already shipped seven goals across his first two matches in interim charge.
France vs Italy Predicted XI
France Predicted XI:
Maignan; Kone, Konate, Saliba, Digne; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Olise, Fofana, Doue; Nkunku
Italy Predicted XI:
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori; Dimarco, Tonali, Barella, Cambiaghi; Pio Esposito, Kean, Zaniolo
Score Prediction
France 2-1 Italy
