Italy are expected to start Sandro Tonali behind Mateo Retegui and Giacomo Raspadori in the Nations League, while France launch Bradley Barcola, Youssouf Fofana and Michael Olise with Kylian Mbappé.
The opening match in this group kicks off at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Friday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
Both sides are desperate to put the disappointment of EURO 2024 behind them and start a whole new chapter in this tournament.
Luciano Spalletti has made it clear the tactical experimentation is over, so he is adopting a 3-5-2 formation from now on, only with room to go 3-4-1-2.
Raspadori’s versatility should see him partner new Atalanta signing Retegui, while Tonali makes his return after 10 months banned for breaching betting regulations.
A surprise in midfield could be Torino’s Samuele Ricci, who would be getting his first game since Spalletti took over.
Italy’s complete transformation as Spalletti changes 8 starters after Euro exit
Alessandro Bastoni has shaken off a knock to start in defence.
According to L’Equipe, Didier Deschamps plans to use Mbappé as a centre-forward following the retirement of ex-Milan striker Olivier Giroud.
It could be a 4-2-3-1 formation using Milan trio Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez and Youssouf Fofana.
After impressing at the Paris Olympics, Michael Olise gets launched into the senior squad sandwiched between Randal Kolo Muani and PSG talent Bradley Barcola.
Jonathan Clauss is expected to start despite a slight muscular problem.
France vs. Italy probable line-ups
France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Clauss, Upamecano, Saliba, Theo Hernandez; Y Fofana, Kanté; Kolo Muani, Olise, Barcola; Mbappé
Italy (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori; Bellanova, Frattesi, Ricci, Tonali, Dimarco; Retegui, Raspadori
without Orsolini and Chiesa. any talk about new start is not credible without Orsolini.
and why not Lucca is in the team?
I would have fire Spaletti already for keep using Di lorezo and Raspadori.
orsalini look for bolonge he was a scoring machine cheisa should be in the squad
I don’t think Di Lorenzo is good enough for international football.
How come di Lorenzo is playing not good enough
Any squad that starts DiLorenzo and Frattesi for Italy is a bust. I hope I’m wrong but Raspadori is useless too. Italy, where you get promoted to the national team for accomplishing nothing. Why Spalletti is still there is beyond me, he has no idea what he’s doing.
To be honest I would of expected Spalletti to have made a few more changes to the team, I honestly believe he should be looking at players from u/19 & u/21 national team as Italy have some really great young players who are sharp and would be the perfect fit to keep up with today’s style of football. Italy need to adapt to quick sharp paced football and where Spalletti should allow abit more freedom with his players rather than having them to rehearsed. Zeroli, Mane, Camarda, Ndour, Gnonto, Kayode, Pafundi, Di Maggio, Chiarodia, Ciammaglichella, Tongya, Koleosho, Fabbian, Raimondo all players that should be getting call ups in the Italy first team. Will be an absolute shame to see wasted talent not get used.
Dear football-italia.net admin, Well done!