Italy host France at Milan's San Siro on Thursday in a UEFA Nations League Group A1 match that could decide top spot. France lead the group on 10 points, three clear of the Azzurri on seven, with Belgium on six. Only the top two teams in the group reach the quarter-finals, so the stakes are high for both sides ahead of the penultimate group matchday.
Roberto Mancini returned to lead Italy this summer after reclaiming his old role, and his side have won twice and lost once in his first four games back, most recently beating Turkey 3-1 at home. Italy are the only team to take points from France so far in the group, having drawn 1-1 in Paris last month, when Michael Olise's opener was cancelled out by Alessandro Bastoni. Italy have not qualified for any of the last three World Cups.S1S2
Both squads are missing important players. France are without 2025 Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, along with defenders Jules Kounde and Maxence Lacroix, and Kylian Mbappe is also injured. Italy will not have Giacomo Raspadori, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Gianluca Mancini or Matteo Ruggeri, and Moise Kean has been ruled out of the match. Mancini has left Alphadjo Cisse and Mattia Liberali out of the matchday squad.S1S2
Belgium moved to nine points after coming from behind to beat Turkiye 2-1 away, with Kevin De Bruyne and Charles De Ketelaere scoring after Arda Guler's free kick had put the hosts ahead. Turkiye remain bottom on zero points despite sacking coach Vincenzo Montella. Italy visit Brussels on Sunday, while France host Turkiye the same day, so the group table could shift again before the final round.S2
The match kicks off at San Siro at 19:45 GMT, 20:45 CET, and is listed for 2:30 PM EDT on FOX Sports 1 in the United States. Referee Kovacs of Romania is in charge. The pitch is in poor condition after heavy rain in Milan.S1S2
