Nations League
Paris, Sep 5: On Friday night, international football heavyweights France and Italy will lock horns as they begin their UEFA Nations League campaigns at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Both sides are eager to bounce back after disappointing performances in this summer’s Euro 2024 tournament.
Italy, the reigning European champions, had a dismal title defence, while France were ousted in the semi-finals by the eventual winners, Spain. The two teams now meet on French soil for the first time in over a decade, with both aiming to start fresh in their quest for Nations League glory.
France, despite reaching the final four of Euro 2024, struggled to find their rhythm throughout the tournament. Randal Kolo Muani’s early goal in the semi-final gave them hope, but their attack failed to deliver outside of set-pieces and own goals. Star forward Kylian Mbappe, who managed only one goal in the competition, played most of the tournament with a broken nose, wearing a protective mask that seemed to limit his effectiveness.
Manager Didier Deschamps, once again under scrutiny for his conservative tactics, remains at the helm and is tasked with leading Les Bleus in their Nations League campaign. Deschamps, who led France to World Cup glory in 2018 and a Nations League title in 2021, saw his team struggle in the last edition, finishing third in their group with only five points from six matches. This season, the stakes are higher as teams finishing last in their groups face automatic relegation, while third-placed teams must play off to avoid dropping into League B.
France will battle alongside Italy, Belgium, and Israel in Group 2, with the top two advancing to a new quarter-final stage, leading to the finals in June 2025.
Italy, meanwhile, are still reeling from their Euro 2024 disappointment. Despite a late group-stage goal from Mattia Zaccagni to secure progression, the Azzurri were knocked out in the round of 16 by neighbours Switzerland. Manager Luciano Spalletti, who succeeded Roberto Mancini last year, has since vowed to bring clarity and consistency to the Italian side, making changes to the squad and incorporating younger talent.
Having finished unbeaten in their previous Nations League group and placing third in the finals, Italy enter this year’s tournament with high hopes. However, they face a tough opening test against a French side that they haven’t beaten in their last three meetings. Friday’s match also marks the first competitive encounter between these old rivals since the 2006 World Cup final.
France’s squad remains largely unchanged from Euro 2024, though Adrien Rabiot and Benjamin Pavard have been left out. (AP)