Match Information

Sport: Football

Match: France vs Italy

Tournament: UEFA Nations League 2026/27 – League A, Group A1, Matchday 3

Date: Friday, October 2, 2026

Kick-off: 8:45 PM CEST

Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France

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Zinédine Zidane leads France at the Stade de France for the first time on Friday as Les Bleus welcome Italy for a heavyweight Nations League clash. His tenure has begun perfectly: two matches, two 1-0 victories and six points from six.

Now comes the first major home test – and the first without Kylian Mbappé, who is sidelined after suffering a knee injury against Türkiye. Italy arrive under Roberto Mancini needing points in a difficult Group A1. France want to make it nine from nine.

Form, Trends, Key Facts, Stats & Team News

The Zidane era could hardly have started more efficiently. France have won their opening two Nations League matches 1-0, putting them top of Group A1 with a perfect six points. The performances have established an early theme. Les Bleus haven't needed to overwhelm opponents with goals. They have remained patient, controlled key phases of matches and found a way to win.

Friday presents a different challenge. Mbappé is unavailable after suffering a knee injury during the victory over Türkiye, removing France's captain and most explosive attacking weapon. How Zidane compensates will be one of the central questions of the night. There is no direct replacement for Mbappé's speed, movement and finishing, but France have the depth to change their attacking structure rather than simply replace one player with another.

Michael Olise and Désiré Doué are among the players capable of taking greater responsibility, while the squad retains enough technical quality to threaten Italy through several areas. Ousmane Dembélé has also been dealing with fitness concerns, adding another layer of uncertainty to Zidane's attacking selection. The hosts may therefore lean even more heavily on control. Without Mbappé stretching Italy's defence, France could place greater emphasis on sustained possession and patiently creating openings rather than constantly looking for the early vertical pass. There are questions in defence too, with William Saliba among the players carrying fitness concerns.

Still, France's depth gives Zidane options that most international managers would envy.

Italy arrive with more significant selection issues. Mancini is still shaping the Azzurri during the early stages of his second spell, and mixed results have left them needing a positive outcome to maintain momentum in a group also featuring Belgium and Türkiye.

Their attacking options have been reduced further. Nicolò Zaniolo is injured and has returned to his club, while Giacomo Raspadori has also been ruled out. Federico Dimarco and Bryan Cristante are among the other absentees. That could push Italy towards a conservative approach in Saint-Denis. Mancini has little reason to turn this into an open contest against a French squad with superior depth, even without Mbappé.

The visitors should instead look to protect central areas, keep the distances between their lines short and force France to break them down. That could make midfield control decisive. Italy will want to disrupt France's rhythm and prevent the hosts from building sustained pressure around the penalty area.

France, meanwhile, need to avoid becoming impatient if the Azzurri sit deep. Zidane's first two competitive matches suggest his team are comfortable waiting for the decisive moment. Two 1-0 wins are already evidence that France don't need an open game to get the result. And against an Italy side with attacking absences of its own, another match decided by fine margins would hardly be surprising.

Key Facts

• 🇫🇷 France lead Group A1 with six points from six.

• 👔 This is Zinédine Zidane's first home match as France coach.

• ✅ Les Bleus have started his tenure with back-to-back 1-0 victories.

• 🚑 Kylian Mbappé is unavailable after suffering a knee injury against Türkiye.

• ❓ Ousmane Dembélé and William Saliba have also had fitness concerns.

• ✨ Michael Olise and Désiré Doué could take on greater attacking responsibility.

• 🇮🇹 Italy are still seeking consistency under Roberto Mancini.

• ❌ Nicolò Zaniolo and Giacomo Raspadori are unavailable for Italy.

• 🚑 Federico Dimarco and Bryan Cristante are also among the Azzurri's absentees.

• 🏟️ France have home advantage at the Stade de France.

• ⚔️ Belgium and Türkiye complete a competitive Group A1.

Pro Tip Before You Start

Losing Mbappé clearly reduces France's attacking threat, but it doesn't remove the advantages they hold elsewhere. Zidane's side have won both of their opening matches without conceding, possess considerably greater squad depth and now have home advantage against an Italy team missing several attacking options.

Rather than expecting another dominant scoreline, the stronger angle is backing France to find another way to win.

👉 Expert Tip: France to Win (1.41)

Alternative Markets

• Under 2.5 Goals (2.61)

• France to Win & Under 3.5 Goals (2.55)

• France to Win to Nil (2.69)

• First Half – Draw (2.68)

• Both Teams To Score – No (2.2)

Two games. Two wins. Two clean sheets. Now Zidane comes home.

No Mbappé, no shortage of expectation – the Stade de France is ready for the next chapter.

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