Football Italia
·16 November 2024
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·16 November 2024
Italy are expected to bring Daniel Maldini, Manuel Locatelli and Moise Kean into the starting XI, while France look to Christopher Nkunku, Inter’s Marcus Thuram and Roma midfielder Manu Koné.
It kicks off at San Siro on Sunday at 19.45 GMT.
Both teams have already done enough to secure their place in the Nations League quarter-final stage.
However, a point would suffice for the Azzurri to guarantee winning the group and therefore gaining top seed status in the draw.
Italy are coming off Thursday’s 1-0 victory away to Belgium, which was earned thanks to the first senior goal from Sandro Tonali.
Coach Luciano Spalletti is expected to bring in Monza man Maldini as a trequartista in support of the centre-forward, who will be either Mateo Retegui or Kean.
This allows Nicolò Barella to drop back into a more traditional midfield spot, with Locatelli also coming in for Davide Frattesi and Nicolò Rovella.
Inter’s Marcus Thuram EPA-EFE/MATTEO BAZZI
France were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by Israel in Paris on Thursday, but the biggest issue might be the fitness of Milan left-back Theo Hernandez.
He did not train today at San Siro due to a knee problem and is likely to be on the bench.
Other Serie A players could still start, namely his Milan teammate Mike Maignan, Roma midfielder Koné and Inter forward Marcus Thuram.
Eduardo Camavinga picked up a yellow card against Israel and is therefore suspended, while Warren Zaire-Emery, Bradley Barcola and Randal Kolo Muani could be dropped.
Italy (3-5-1-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Maldini; Retegui
France (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Koundé, Konaté, Saliba, Digne; Koné, Rabiot; Olise, Nkunku, Coman; M Thuram