Didier Deschamps had announced change. In total, seven new players join the eleven compared to the starting team against Israel (0-0). For this trip to Italy, decisive for first place in the group, the Blues are advancing in a 4-3-3 tactical arrangement this Sunday, November 17 (8:45 p.m., TF1). Positioned in support of the attacker during the final session on Saturday, Christopher Nkunku should finally occupy a lane.
Marcus Thuram, who returns to San Siro, a stadium where he already has his mark having scored numerous goals there with Inter, will start up front. Finally, the animation of the right wing will not be entrusted to Michael Olise, nor to Kingsley Coman, but to Randal Kolo Muani. The Parisian, little used with his club, is renewed among the starters.
In the midfield, in the absence of Eduardo Camavinga, suspended, Manu Koné and Adrien Rabiot will team up. The Marseillais has not started in the French team since the semi-final of the Euro lost against Spain (2-1) on July 9, 2024. After playing a few minutes against Israel, his return will necessarily be scrutinized and will have to bring animation to a sector which lacked so much three days earlier. They will be supported by Matteo Guendouzi in order to densify the midfield. He also did not appear on Saturday in the supposed starting team.
N'Golo Kanté is on the bench and therefore gives up his captain's armband to Ibrahima Konaté. The Liverpool defender is associated with William Saliba in the central hinge. The lanes are allocated to Jules Koundé and Lucas Digne, the latter replacing Théo Hernandez, spared during the last training session. As for Jonathan Clauss, he feels a little discomfort in the back of his thigh and is not on the match sheet.
Already qualified for the quarter-finals of the League of Nations (March 20 and 23, 2025), like Italy, the Blues must win, at least by two goals, to hope to finish on top and inherit a more favorable opponent next spring. The draw is scheduled for November 22 in Nyon.
The composition of the Blues: Maignan – Kounde, Conate (cap.), Saliba, Digne – Guendouzi, Cone, Rabiot – Kolo Muani, Thuram, Nkunku
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