France prepare to host Italy in the UEFA Nations League with captain Kylian Mbappé sidelined due to a left knee injury. Manager Zinedine Zidane, who took charge of Les Bleus following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, must lean on a refreshed attacking unit at the Stade de France. Ousmane Dembélé steps up to captain the national team in Mbappé’s absence, leading an attack that features dynamic talent in Michael Olise, Désiré Doué, and Bradley Barcola. France didn’t let injuries disrupt their opening results, having secured back-to-back 1-0 victories over Turkey and Belgium to begin Zidane’s tenure.
Zidane’s managerial debut delivered a 1-0 away triumph over Turkey, where Mbappé converted an assist from Olise, but the Real Madrid star’s physical setback forces immediate tactical adjustment. Dembélé, who has scored twice across all competitions in a quiet start to his 2026-27 club campaign, assumes a central leadership role. In the confirmed lineup, Dembélé, Olise, and Doué start in attack, supported by Rayan Cherki, Lucas Da Cunha, and Adrien Rabiot in midfield. Behind them, Mike Maignan guards the goal with a defensive line made up of Pierre Kalulu, Dayot Upamecano, Jérémy Jacquet, and Adrien Truffert.
Italy face their own selection headaches under manager Roberto Mancini, entering the clash heavily depleted by injuries. The Azzurri are missing key squad members, including defender Federico Dimarco with a knee injury, goalkeeper Alex Meret with a muscular problem, and midfielder Manuel Locatelli with a knee issue. Mancini made several adjustments to the team that defeated Türkiye, leaving out Nicolò Barella and Gianluca Mancini to bring Davide Frattesi and Giorgio Scalvini into the starting team.
Italy’s confirmed team places Gianluigi Donnarumma between the posts, behind a back line featuring Michael Kayode, Scalvini, Alessandro Bastoni, and Riccardo Calafiori. Frattesi anchors the midfield alongside Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Fagioli. In attack, Moise Kean leads the frontline flanked by brothers Sebastiano Esposito and Pio Esposito, with Pio aiming to build on his international tally after recording his fifth goal for his country.
With both sides dealing with prominent absences, this 2026-27 UEFA Nations League fixture tests the tactical flexibility of both managers. France look to rely on the creativity of Olise, Doué, and Cherki to spark their attack without their superstar captain. Italy, meanwhile, rely on a reorganized starting XI as both nations seek to maintain their standing in the competition.
