Zidane leads France v Italy in first home match in charge | OneFootball

France face Italy in the Nations League at the Stade de France at 20:45, Zidane taking charge on home soil for the first time. This is the third matchday of the competition.

Les Bleus arrive after 1-0 wins in Türkiye and Belgium and hope to extend that run. According to Le Progres, Didier Deschamps declined a tribute at Saint-Denis for his service as head coach.

Deschamps ended a 14-year reign in July after France lost the third-place play-off, having delivered the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League. Only one head coach will therefore receive the ovation in Saint-Denis tonight.

Italy start Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal. Moïse Kean also begins up front, and brothers Pio and Sebastiano Esposito are in the XI.

Zidane has opted for a hybrid France line-up. It includes starters from the opener in Türkiye, Olise, Dembélé and Rabiot, plus those who began in Belgium, Da Cunha, Jacquet and Doué.

It is 20 years since Zidane last played at this stadium and he returns now as France boss. A rousing reception is expected when he steps out and when his name is announced. Midfielder Manu Koné said the players would discover the ovation with the crowd and would applaud as well.

Source: Le Progres

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