UEFA Nations League: France and Italy in the City of Romance

France vs Italy

It’s one of the world’s most glamorous internationals, but when France and Italy meet on Friday in their opening UEFA Nations League clash, we can expect sparks to fly … and there will be little love lost.

Paris may well be the ‘City of Romance’ but there is—at the least—animosity and often pure hatred between these two sets of fans, dating back to the infamous World Cup final of 2006.

On a balmy night in Berlin, the Azzurri won a dramatic penalty shoot-out. Although the match will forever be remembered for the red card handed to France talisman Zinedine Zidane for a headbutt on Marco Materazzi.

What the Italy midfielder was alleged to have said to wind up Zizou can’t be repeated here. Suffice to say he hit a nerve and Zidane saw red, ending his illustrious career in disgrace.

Wouldn’t it be lovely to see the Materazzi and Zidane on the pitch pre-match to kiss and make up? I won’t be holding my breath!

Anyway, back to football, Didier Deschamps has the task of leading Les Bleus to an opening round victory, and the UEFA Nations League 2024 betting odds say he should be successful. But Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti will set up his side to be difficult to break down so it should be a fascinating clash … hopefully with 11 players on each side at the full time whistle! 

 

Talking Points

Deschamps is happy to go again

The France head coach recently announced that he would stay on and lead his country into the 2026 World Cup in America, where he hopes to add to his tally of one title and two finals in his six major tournaments at the helm.

Les Bleus lost the Euro 2024 semi-final to eventual winners Spain but that was only after having stunk the place out for much of the competition. It was hard to fathom just why France were so dull, but it didn’t help that Kylian Mbappe broke his nose in France’s Euro opener against Austria; he was never at his best throughout the three weeks.

But the France skipper has just embarked on a new chapter in his career at Real Madrid, and he will be desperate to show that he is still among the very best in the world.

France misfired for much of the Euros but they do have attacking players bang in form; Ousmane Dembele, still at Paris Saint-Germain, has started the season impressively whilst Marcus Thuram has already bagged two braces in his first three games for Inter Milan.

Add in the guile of Antoine Griezmann, the pace of Randal Kolo Muani and maybe a debut for exciting winger FC Bayern Michael Olise and this is surely a team full of goals.      

 

Spalletti looking for better

Azzurri head coach Spalletti had a difficult watch at the Euros too. Italy had to come from a goal behind to beat neighbour Albania, lost to Spain and only a 98^th-minute screamer from Lazio star Mattia Zaccagni earned a draw with Croatia to see them through to the round of 16. The Azzurri saved the worst for Switzerland who strolled to a 2-0 win and the reigning champions were sent packing.     

Centre-back Riccardo Calafiori impressed in Germany, with his all-action displays which earned him a move to Arsenal. Calafiori will probably line up in a back three alongside Alessandro Buongiorno and Alessandro Bastoni to make a formidable defensive unit.

And in other Euro 2024 news, there could be a return for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali who has just returned to action from a ten-month ban for betting offences.     

 

History

Italy are four-time World Cup champions—most recently on that infamous night in 2006—and they are twice Kings of Europe, beating England in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.

Meanwhile, Les Bleus have won both major tournaments twice, most recently as World Champions in 2018, when Mbappe burst onto the scene.      

France have registered 11 wins to Italy’s 18 in the head-to-head meetings, including winning the last three games, all friendlies.

Recent form is pretty even with France clocking up four wins, four draws and two defeats in 2024, whilst Italy have earned four wins, two draws and two defeats this year.   

 

Betting Tip

Les Bleus are strong favourites at SBOTOP odds of 1.65 to see off the Azzurri with the draw at 3.38 and an Italy victory at 4.43.

A 2-0 home win is priced at 7.04, with the most likely score line a 1-0 home win at 5.89.

Although Italy will be a tough nut to crack, I think France’s attacking unit has a point to prove, and when better to make that point than when an old enemy comes to town? 

   

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