Football Italia
·17. November 2024
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·17. November 2024
Italy bring in Guglielmo Vicario and Manuel Locatelli for the final Nations League group game against France’s Marcus Thuram, Christopher Nkunku and Manu Koné.
It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT.
While both teams have already booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the competition, winning the group would secure top seed status in the draw.
The Azzurri need only a point to get that result, although even a defeat by one clear goal could suffice over goal difference.
Luciano Spalletti’s side won every game in this group except for the 2-2 draw against Belgium when down to 10 men.
That includes the comeback 3-1 victory in Paris back in September.
There was a last-minute change, as Gianluigi Donnarumma was all set to be the captain of Italy until he suffered from a stomach bug and is replaced by Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Vicario for his fourth cap.
Monza player Daniel Maldini and Fiorentina striker Moise Kean had been tipped to come in, but instead Nicolò Barella retains his trequartista role.
The only real difference therefore is Manuel Locatelli replacing Nicolo’ Rovella in midfield.
Riccardo Calafiori, Samuele Ricci and Lorenzo Pellegrini are among those out injured.
epa11245936 France’ Matteo Guendouzi (L) shakes hands with France’ Ibrahima Konate after winning the friendly international soccer match between France and Chile in Marseille, France, 26 March 2024. EPA-EFE/GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO
France do not start Milan left-back Theo Hernandez due to a knee issue, while Eduardo Camavinga is suspended following his yellow card in the 0-0 draw with Israel on Thursday.
Others who missed out include Aurelien Tchaouameni, Ousmane Dembele and Wesley Fofana.
Didier Deschamps shifts to a 4-3-3 formation rather than 4-2-3-1, using Inter striker Thuram and bringing Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi into the starting XI.
Italy: Vicario; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Barella; Retegui
Italy bench: Donnarumma, Meret, Savona, Gatti, Maldini, Raspadori, Kean, Rovella, Okoli, Comuzzo, Udogie, Pisilli
France: Maignan; Koundé, Konaté, Saliba, Digne; Koné, Rabiot, Guendouzi; Kolo Muani, M Thuram, Nkunku
France bench: Samba, Chevalier, Pavard, Upamecano, Olise, Coman, Kanté, Zaire-Emery, Barcola, Theo Hernandez
Ref: Vincic (SVN)