Italy and France meet at San Siro, UEFA Nations League Preview

Italy and France meet at the San Siro in Milan on Thursday, November 12, in a UEFA Nations League A Group 1 fixture.

Group Leadership and the Road to Milan

France arrive in Milan holding the top spot in Group 1 with 10 points from their first four matches. Zinedine Zidane has guided Les Bleus through an unbeaten run across their four UEFA Nations League matches so far in the campaign.

The previous encounter between these two nations concluded in a 1-1 draw.

Across 40 historical head-to-head meetings, Italy have claimed 19 victories while France have won 12 matches, alongside nine draws. Les Bleus have also kept clean sheets in both of their Nations League away games during the current competition.

Italy Chase Home Victory Under Mancini

Italy sit second in the group standings, having won four of their last six games under Roberto Mancini. The Azzurri are unbeaten in three Nations League fixtures, scoring eight times during that sequence.

The hosts have found the back of the net in each of their last nine meetings against France. However, they enter the match having failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their four Nations League games.

Squad Absences and Rising Young Talents

The veteran boss has also included Chelsea fullback Marco Palestra and Como playmaker Mattia Liberali among the young options in the squad.

France travel without William Saliba and Ousmane Dembele.

Mbappe is expected to spearhead the French attack in Milan, having previously scored a decisive goal against Turkey in September and carried strong scoring form into La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid.

Michael Olise has also put in strong displays for France, scoring four goals in four Nations League matches.