France 1-3 Italy: Player ratings as Raspadori helps Azzurri comeback from another early goal | OneFootball

Italy look to have put a disappointing Euro 2024 behind them as they came back to beat France 3-1 in their Uefa Nations League opener.

Les Bleus took the lead after just 12 seconds as Bradley Barcola capitalised on a defensive error. But Italy drew level on the half-hour mark thanks to Federico Dimarco’s well-taken volley.

Italy had turned things around within the first five minutes of the second half through Davide Frattesi, before Giacomo Raspadori rounded off the win.

Here’s how the players rated at Parc des Princes:

France

Mike Maignan – 6 – Wasn’t tested too much in the first half and was beaten by a well-taken volley from Dimarco. Pulled off a great save in the second half but was helpless to stop Italy’s second and third.

Jonathan Clauss – 5 – Italy didn’t really attack his flank in the first half but the goal did come from that side. Clauss was caught ball-watching for the one-two between Dimarco and Tonali. He was also beaten far too easily in the air from a corner for another Italy chance.

Ibrahima Konate – 5 – Questions should be asked of the midfield, but Konate did let Frattesi run off him for his goal. The Liverpool man was far too focused on following the ball, losing his man. It was a costly moment in an otherwise comfortable game, with Italy not testing the French defence too much.

William Saliba – 5 – Stuck very close to Retegui — a little too close at times — the centre-back was in a good battle. He had looked good, but unfortunately failed in his attempted tackle Raspadori as Italy went 3-1 up. That’s the moment people will remember.

Theo Hernandez – 4 – Theo Hernandez was the weakest point of France’s defence. In the first half he let Cambiaso run off him for a far-post header across goal. Hernandez was lucky that Frattesi couldn’t get his header on target. In the second half, he was jogging back as Italy broke, playing the ball through the empty space on his flank. With knowledge of him from Serie A, it was clear that Italy targeted Hernandez.

Youssouf Fofana – 4 – He was overshadowed by Kante in the France midfield, though that’s to be expected. However, this was an overall sloppy game for Fofana. Without being terrible, things just weren’t clicking and he was the one to give the ball away in the build up to Italy’s second.

N’Golo Kante – 5 – There was a moment in the first half when Kante looked like he had lost the ball with a heavy first touch. But in true Kante fashion he managed to keep hold of the ball with consummate ease. That was about it though, as Kante’s passing was a bit erratic at times, making his teammates chase.

Michael Olise – 6 – Making his senior France debut, Olise started through the middle but then pushed out wide. Had a few moments on the ball where he ran through Italy as if they were ghosts. But he should have tracked Dimarco’s run for the equaliser, instead stopping as the pass went into the box. It was an okay debut, but there’s a lot to come.

Antoine Griezmann – 6 – Griezmann formed part of France’s fluid attack, frequently switching with Olise. He had some moments on the ball but wasn’t as involved as Didier Deschamps would have liked him to be.

Bradley Barcola – 8 – The only France outfield player who could really leave the Parc des Princes with his head held high. And not just because he scored their only goal. But the goal was all about him. He was quick to pressure Di Lorenzo and nicked the ball before it got to him. After bearing down on goal, Barcola gave Donnarumma the eyes and finished with class. He almost put France 2-1 up too with a low shot, but it was deflected onto the post. Everything that was dangerous for France, came through Barcola.

Kylian Mbappe – 5 – The France captain was drifting out wide and dropping deeper to pick up the ball. He was everywhere except where a striker should be, in the box. This role just isn’t working, even though Mbappe himself isn’t doing anything majorly wrong.

Ousmane Dembele (for Olise 58) – 6 – Posed a new threat to Italy that they just couldn’t deal with. However, his end product wasn’t good enough.

Manu Kone (for Fofana 58) – 6 – Booked within minutes of coming on, but he looked stronger in midfield than the man he replaced.

Marcus Thuram (for Griezmann 77) – 5 – Didn’t really change the game as Deschamps will have wanted.

Warren Zaire-Emery (for Kante 77) – 5 – Didn’t have enough time to make his mark on the midfield.

Jules Kounde (for Clauss 77) – 6 – Looked slightly better defensively.

Italy

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 7 – Couldn’t do anything about Barcola’s goal but wasn’t really tested otherwise, aside from a few routine stops. He was the presence Italy needed in goal.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 5 – A nightmare start. Within 10 seconds he was caught out by Barcola, too slow in receiving a pass, and it proved costly. Throughout the game he really struggled with Barcola and was lucky not to be booked for a cynical foul in the second half to stop a break.

Alessandro Bastoni – 8 – Was really comfortable despite France’s attacking talent. Was perfect for Italy’s rearguard as they looked to protect their lead.

Riccardo Calafiori – 8 – This was a strong performance from the Arsenal man, continuing his form from Euro 2024. Unfortunately, it ended abruptly as he picked up an injury following a collision with Dembele midway through the second half.

Andrea Cambiaso – 7 – Defensively he struggled at times, up against it facing Barcola, losing the one-on-one battle in the opening stages. But he was much better going forward, setting up Frattesi’s chance and putting a cross-field ball in the build up to the equaliser. And he grew as the game went on.

Davide Frattesi – 7 – Really should have equalised for Italy in the first half but his header was against the bar with Maignan scrambling. However, he made amends by putting Italy 2-1 up, sliding onto the end of Retegui’s ball into the box.

Samuele Ricci – 8 – A man with just three Italy caps to his name, Ricci looked like he’d played 300 times at the heart of the Azzurri midfield. He helped keep Italy in some semblance of control, while allowing his midfield partners freedom to push.

Sandro Tonali – 8 – Tonali came into this game with 84 minutes of football in 10 months and at times, it did show with rustiness. But the 24-year-old oozed class in the middle of the pitch. His passing was great at times and he set up Dimarco’s goal with a lovely flicked pass.

Federico Dimarco – 7 – Equalised with a beautiful volley after a one-two with Tonali, Dimarco really enjoyed his night in Paris. He’s playing with so much freedom, knowing Calafiori is protecting the flank behind him.

Lorenzo Pellegrini – 6 – Played his part in Italy’s first good move of the game with a good ball to the back post. But he wasn’t really involved otherwise, coming off at half-time.

Mateo Retegui – 7 – Wasn’t in the game too much in the first half, with an easy shot for Maignan to save. He was in a good battle with Saliba. But in the second half Retegui really stretched his legs and set up Italy’s second with a good ball across goal.

Giacomo Raspadori (for Pellegrini 45) – 8 – His presence lifted Italy and they looked like a completely different team with him on the pitch. He was the man to make Italy’s lead comfortable with a well-taken finish.

Destiny Udogie (for Frattesi 62) – 7 – Really nice pass into Raspadori to set up Italy’s third.

Alessandro Buongiorno (for Calafiori 71) – 7 – Helped keep Italy solid at the back.

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