Deschamps makes Saliba start decision for Italy clash | OneFootball

William Saliba is set to return to the France team against Italy on Sunday, having dropped out of the side at the start of the November break.

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L’Equipe (via GFFN) report that William Saliba is set to start for France against Italy on Sunday, returning to the team after his absence in the previous game.

According to the report, Saliba is set to take Dayot Upamecano’s place, partnering Ibrahima Konate. Konate is expected to wear the captain’s armband, having faced the media for Saturday’s pre-match press conference.

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Saliba didn’t feature at all in France’s previous game against Israel, sitting on the bench for the full 90 minutes.

There were some question marks about Didier Deschamps’ opinion of the centre-back after that, not for the first time. There was certainly no suggestion the decision was injury-related.

But with Saliba now returning to the team against a stronger opponent like Italy, the implication is that he’s still ahead of Upamecano in the pecking order.

Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP

On the other hand, the stakes aren’t particularly high for this match, despite the calibre of opponent. France and Italy have both already qualified for the Nations League quarter-finals, so this match will purely determine the group winner.

If France want to finish top, they need to win, and to do so by two goals or more.