Stung by Thursday’s 3–1 comeback defeat to Italy in Milan that denied them early quarter-final progression, Zinedine Zidane’s Les Bleus return to home soil in Bordeaux on Sunday night needing a clinical finish to punch their ticket to the last eight against an already-relegated Türkiye squad fighting for pride.
Adrien Rabiot, the France captain, criticised his side's performance following the 3-1 defeat to Italy on Thursday evening at the San Siro in Milan, in the fifth round of the group stage of the UEFA Nations League.
Zinedine Zidane, the France manager, spoke about his side's 3-1 defeat to Italy in the match that brought the two together on Thursday evening in the UEFA Nations League, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, pointing to some positives despite the result, and stressing the need to treat the loss as part of the learning process.
Les Bleus slipped to a 3-1 Nations League defeat at San Siro despite Michael Olise's early opener, handing Zinedine Zidane his first loss as France boss.
Italy overcame an early Michael Olise strike to secure a clinical 3-1 win over France at the San Siro. Francesco Esposito's double and a Davide Frattesi strike ensured the Azzurri claimed all three points in this Nations League clash.
Italy claimed a historic 3-1 victory over France in the match that brought them together on Thursday evening at the San Siro, as part of the fifth round of the UEFA Nations League, putting an end to a long run of negative results against Les Bleus on Italian soil.
Italy win in the name of Francesco Pio Esposito. The brace with which the Inter striker beat France is his first in an Italy shirt and takes his tally to nine goals in 14 appearances for the national team. All at just 21 years and four months old: record-breaking numbers.
Italy secured a commanding 3-1 victory over France at the San Siro, overcoming an early Michael Olise strike through tactical discipline and superior efficiency in the final third. Francesco Esposito proved the difference-maker, leading a clinical Azzurri side that exploited France's inability to manage defensive transitions.
Italy turned around their deficit against visitors France to claim a 3-1 victory on Thursday evening at the San Siro in Milan, in the fifth round of the group stage in League A of the UEFA Nations League.
Michael Olise, the Bayern Munich star, capitalised on a glaring error from Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy's goalkeeper, to score France's opening goal this Thursday evening at the San Siro stadium in Milan, in the fifth round of the group stage of the UEFA Nations League.
Gianni Infantino, the president of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), is facing fresh escalation in the United States after an official complaint was submitted to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS), calling for an investigation to be opened into allegations relating to the employment of a Nicaraguan domestic maid at his home in the city of Miami.
France head coach Zinédine Zidane is counting on Lucas Da Cunha again for the Nations League match against Italy. Under the former Real Madrid man, the Como captain has taken on an unexpected but now firmly established central role. First came the call-ups, then the matches, and now promotion to a regular starter for the clash at San Siro too.
Relive the explosive 2006 World Cup Final, a match defined by the goals of Materazzi and Zidane, a shocking red card, and Italy's ultimate triumph on penalties.
Zinedine Zidane, the France manager, faces a challenge related to finding the out-and-out striker capable of leading the front line, amid ongoing uncertainty over the identity of the player who will occupy the centre-forward role, following Olivier Giroud's retirement from international football and the lack of stability among the options available so far.
Hours before the clash between Italy and France, scheduled for this Thursday evening in the UEFA Nations League, Marco Materazzi reopened the file on the famous incident that brought him together with Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final, invoking the recent death of Jesus de Miguel, the Spanish Tenerife striker, in a comparison that sparked controversy.
France have been dealt a significant setback ahead of their pivotal UEFA Nations League encounter against Italy, with captain Kylian Mbappe officially ruled out of the trip to Milan. The Real Madrid forward failed to participate in Wednesday's training session after reporting a muscular issue, forcing Les Bleus to alter their attacking plans for the high-stakes clash at San Siro.
Zinedine Zidane, the France manager, has thwarted the plan of Kylian Mbappé, the team's forward, during the current international break, with a firm decision that could affect their relationship.
Zinedine Zidane is reportedly preparing to deploy Paris Saint-Germain starlet Desire Doue as a central striker when France face Italy in the Nations League. The tactical shift has earned high praise from Bixente Lizarazu, who believes the versatile youngster is ready to become a fundamental pillar of the national team.
Controversy continues over the nature of the relationship between Zinedine Zidane, the manager of the France national team, and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé, particularly after the player was left out of the match against Italy.
Former Italy defender Marco Materazzi, interviewed by Gazzetta dello Sport on the day of Italy v France, revisits the famous incident in which Zinedine Zidane headbutted him during the 2006 World Cup final.
Coach Zinedine Zidane has begun shaping his tactical vision for the look of France's attack, through a tactical decision that gives Ousmane Dembélé a pivotal role at the expense of Kylian Mbappé. The former Real Madrid coach believes the Paris Saint-Germain forward possesses the qualities he needs to implement his ideas, which has prompted him to return the France captain to the left wing position.
Sebastien Frey, a former goalkeeper who made 446 Serie A appearances during his career, weighs in on Italy v France in an interview with Corriere della Sera: “Zidane reminded me a little of Conte. Pio Esposito could become a mainstay of the Azzurri. I still felt some happiness in 2006.”