Two giants of the European game face off in the opening round of games at the 2024/25 Nations League.
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France vs Italy predictions
There is one key change to be aware of ahead of the 2024/25 Nations League.
Previously, teams in League A needed to finish top to reach the Finals. This time around, a top-two finish is sufficient to advance to the quarter-finals, so the runners-up berth is no longer meaningless.
That is just as well for France and Italy, who have been drawn in a tough group alongside Belgium and Israel. The latter are odds-on favourites to finish bottom, but the other three teams will be targeting a quarter-final place.
France once again reached the latter stages of a major tournament in the summer, but defeat by Spain ended their participation in the semi-finals.
And therein lies the problem. Even Didier Deschamps himself would admit his teams do not play the most entertaining brand of football.
The 55-year-old is a results-based manager. During his playing career, Deschamps made more appearances for Juventus than any of his other clubs. Juve’s motto, “winning is not important, it’s the only thing that counts”, could be his own.
The question is: is Deschamps’ record good enough for a coach who prides himself on achieving glory by whatever means necessary?
France have won one of the six major tournaments he has taken charge of. True, it could easily have been three. Les Bleus lost the final of Euro 2016 in extra time and the World Cup 2022 showpiece on penalties.
But given the incredible array of talent the country continually produces, Deschamps’ record is arguably par for the course at best. If he steps down after World Cup 2026 as expected, Deschamps will want to look back on more than one triumph across a 14-year tenure.
In fairness France did win the Nations League in 2021, although this tournament is not held in the same regard as the World Cup or European Championship.
Even so, success in the 2024/25 edition would be a welcome boost ahead of World Cup qualification next year.
France vs Italy betting tips
France and Italy will both be going for victory in a heavyweight clash in the Nations League.
France to win to nil – 9/5 (kwiff)
Italy may have made it out of the so-called group of death at Euro 2024, but there were few positives to take away from their summer performance.
The Azzurri needed a last-gasp equaliser against Croatia to qualify for the knockout phase, where they were promptly dumped out by Switzerland in one of the most one-sided encounters of the entire tournament.
Luciano Spalletti is an astute head coach, but this current Italy squad is a far cry from some of the great collections of players the country has been blessed with in the past.
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France do not give much away under Deschamps, who will probably select a strong backline of Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Ibrahima Konate and Theo Hernandez on Friday.
With N’Golo Kante and Aurelien Tchouameni patrolling in front of that back four, Italy will have to work hard to create chances
⚽ Go for France to win to nil at 9/5 with kwiff ⚽
France to score in both halves – 6/4 (kwiff)
Deschamps seldom lets his players off the leash in tournament football, but there is a chance that France will be permitted to play with a little more abandon in the first game of their Nations League campaign.
A possible front three of Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe and Marcus Thuram should give Italy plenty to think about.
Even if Deschamps switches things up as the game wears on, France have several game-changers on the bench.
Bradley Barcola is in the form of his nascent career at Paris Saint-Germain, while Michael Olise will be chomping at the bit after his first ever call-up to the senior squad.
That is before we have even mentioned Antoine Griezmann, a stalwart of the Deschamps era who is 11 games away from becoming France’s most capped player of all time.
Italy’s defence will have its hands full either side of half-time at the Parc des Princes
⚽ Tip France to score in both halves at 6/4 with kwiff ⚽
Kylian Mbappe to score any time – 10/11 (kwiff)
Mbappe will have been delighted to open his La Liga account for Real Madrid before the international break.
After a tough start to his career at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Mbappe notched a brace as Madrid beat Real Betis 2-0 last time out..
That is bad news for Italy. There were a few murmurs that Mbappe might have sat out these fixtures, but he is passionate about representing his country and a two-goal haul against Real Betis will have helped to relax the former PSG star.
Mbappe is returning to the Parc des Princes for the first time and he will be determined to add to the 48 goals he has already scored for les Bleus.
Keeping a close eye on the 25-year-old is not always enough, so this could be a tough night for Italy.
⚽ Back Kylian Mbappe to score any time at 10/11 with kwiff ⚽
📺 How to watch France vs Italy
- Location: Parc des Princes, Paris, France.
- Date and time: Friday 6th September, 7.45pm.
- How to watch: TBC.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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