France vs Italy Today Football Match: FRA vs ITA Dream11 Prediction (UEFA Nations League 2024)

France vs Italy – Two giants of international football collide on Friday night to kick off their UEFA Nations League campaigns at Parc des Princes. While the Azzurri made a disappointing defense of their European title over the summer, Les Bleus were eliminated by the eventual Euro 2024 winners, Spain, in the semi-finals. Now, the teams meet in Paris.

France reached the semi-finals at Euro 2024, but their journey was less than convincing. Randal Kolo Muani’s early goal in the semi-final against Spain gave hope, but they bowed out after scoring only once from open play throughout the tournament, relying heavily on set-pieces and own goals.

Captain Kylian Mbappe, who managed just one goal, suffered a broken nose in the opening game against Austria. Wearing a protective mask for the rest of the tournament, he seemed inhibited, which summed up a lackluster performance from the 2022 World Cup finalists.

The top two teams in Group 2, which also includes Belgium and Israel, will qualify for a new quarter-final round. The winners of those ties will progress to the finals in June 2025.

Recent Form

France (all competitions): WDDWWL
Italy (all competitions): DWWLDL

France Starting Lineup

Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Konate, T. Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Zaire-Emery; Dembele, Thuram, Mbappe

Didier Deschamps has retained most of his Euro 2024 squad for this month’s Nations League fixtures. However, free agent Adrien Rabiot and Inter Milan defender Benjamin Pavard have been dropped.

Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise has been called up for the first time after impressing at the Olympics with seven goal involvements as France claimed a silver medal. Recent Roma signing Manu Kone could also make his senior debut.

Another Olympic participant, Loic Bade, has been added to the squad after Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana withdrew to focus on his fitness following a long injury layoff. Ferland Mendy has also pulled out, with Aston Villa left-back Lucas Digne brought in as his replacement. Italy-based Matteo Guendouzi has been drafted in as midfield cover.

Italy Starting Lineup

Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Ricci, Tonali, Frattesi, Dimarco; Raspadori, Retegui

Italy will be without Gianluca Scamacca, who recently suffered an ACL injury, and Nicolo Barella, who has undergone sinus surgery. Eight players from Spalletti’s Euro squad, including Gianluca Mancini and Jorginho, are absent. First call-ups have been given to Marco Brescianini and Caleb Okoli, while Destiny Udogie, Moise Kean, and Sandro Tonali return to the squad.

After some tactical experimentation in Germany, Spalletti has committed to a back three for the foreseeable future, with Giacomo Raspadori and in-form Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui likely to start in a 3-5-2 formation.

FRA vs ITA Dream11 Prediction

GK: Donnarumma

DEF: Kounde, T. Hernandez, Bastoni, Saliba

MID: Kante, Dembele, Tonali

FW: Mbappe, Raspadori, Mateo Retegui

Who will win today’s UEFA Nations League 2024 match?

Despite some injuries, France’s depth of talent gives them the edge. Italy is still in a rebuilding phase and lacks quality in key areas. The hosts should secure maximum points, leaving Italy with work to do in their upcoming Group 2 matches.