Konate: ‘France want rematch with Italy, success possible without Mbappe’ | OneFootball

Ibrahima Konaté admits France are out for a ‘rematch’ with Italy in the Nations League tomorrow, but insists they can still succeed even without star man Kylian Mbappé.

It kicks off at San Siro on Sunday at 19.45 GMT.

Both teams have already qualified for the quarter-finals of the Nations League, but a point would be enough for the Azzurri to guarantee first place in the group and therefore top seed status in the draw for this new phase of the tournament.

Les Bleus are coming off a disappointing 0-0 home draw with Israel and are eager to make up for the 3-1 defeat to Italy in Paris that they suffered back in September.

“We want a reaction by winning this game, that is our objective. We want a rematch with Italy and to win the Nations League group,” said Konaté in his press conference.

France struggling in recent months

Italy’s forward #18 Giacomo Raspadori celebrates with teammates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Nations League Group A2 football match between France and Italy at the Parc des Princes in Paris on September 6, 2024. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP) (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP via Getty Images)

This is a very different side to the past for France, especially after Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann retired from international duty, with Mbappé left out for the second run of games in a row.

“We don’t score as many goals as we used to, but this is not a downward spiral for us. The objective remains the same, to win. We dominated the game against Israel and if we had won 4-0, nobody could’ve complained.

“Everyone still has such pride and motivation to represent our country. Many fixtures might be tiring, but the motivation remains the same.”

Inter striker Marcus Thuram is trying to find his form for France, but the squad is inevitably lacking in firepower with Mbappé out of action to focus on his Real Madrid form.

“It’s true that Thuram is a bit less efficient in front of goal, but it will come,” noted Konaté.

“Obviously France can succeed without Mbappé. We can never forget all he has done, but it’s hardly as if we cannot win in his absence.”