France Takes On Italy in Nations League Showdown: Key Predictions, Lineups, and What to Expect

Two European giants clash as France takes on Italy in the third matchday of the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League this Friday.

Zinédine Zidane has guided his side to consecutive 1–0 wins against Türkiye and Belgium to begin his highly anticipated tenure as Les Bleus boss. The showdown with Italy will stir some uncomfortable memories for the France manager, coming 12 years after that notorious World Cup final, yet pride will be the dominant emotion as he oversees his first home fixture at the Stade de France.

The Azzurri are also operating under new management during the extended three-week international window—in a manner of speaking. Euro-winning coach Roberto Mancini has come back to restore order amid the ongoing turmoil surrounding the Italian national team following a third straight World Cup spent as spectators. After a painful loss to Belgium in his first game back, he guided the side to a commanding 4–1 victory over Türkiye in their most recent outing.

France remains the only unbeaten team in Group 1 of League A so far, but a home defeat would cost them their place at the summit.

France vs. Italy Score Prediction

France Extends Winning Streak

The Zidane era has been modest in style, even if France has shown enough quality to justify back-to-back wins. As the squad adapts to new tactical demands, some early growing pains are to be expected.

Les Bleus should nonetheless push on to a third straight win when Italy visits, with home-field advantage and a stronger squad likely proving decisive in securing all three points.

Despite the confidence boost from their win over Türkiye, Italy is still very much a team in transition. Doubts persist over Mancini's ability to lead the rebuilding process, with a dismal display against Belgium still fresh in the memory ahead of the trip to Saint-Denis.

This is unlikely to be a high-octane, open contest, but France are expected to emerge victorious.

Prediction: France 2–0 Italy

France Predicted Lineup vs. Italy

Zidane fielded a rotated squad against Belgium but is expected to bring back several key players to the starting eleven. Olise, Dembélé, Cherki, Dayot Upamecano, and Jules Koundé are all likely to be reinstated.

Mbappé's absence through injury creates an opening on the left flank for Doué, while Maxence Lacroix is set to start for a third consecutive match, with both Ibrahima Konaté and William Saliba ruled out of the squad due to fitness issues.

Manu Koné and Adrien Rabiot could come back into the midfield, with Monday's debutant Lucas Da Cunha and Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga dropping out.

France predicted lineup vs. Italy (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Lacroix, Truffert; Koné, Rabiot; Olise, Cherki, Doué; Dembélé.

Italy Predicted Lineup vs. France

Mancini is expected to name a largely unchanged side from the one that dismantled Türkiye, though a forced alteration on the wing is required after Giacomo Raspadori withdrew from the squad with an injury.

With a large squad assembled for the international break, Mancini will need to leave several players out of the matchday setup. Diego Coppola, Honest Anahor, Alessandro Romano, and Samuele Inácio are among those unlikely to get minutes.

The Esposito brothers, Pio and Sebastiano, made history as the first siblings to start together for the Azzurri since 1915 when they faced Türkiye. Both could keep their spots for the France encounter.

Italy predicted lineup vs. France (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Scalvini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Frattesi, Tonali, Barella; Kean, P. Esposito, S. Esposito.

What Time Does France vs. Italy Kick Off?

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