In a surprising twist ahead of the Nations League clash, Kylian Mbappé has been excluded from the France squad, prompting Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to express his gratitude for the star striker’s absence. The French coach, Didier Deschamps, has not yet clarified the reasons for Mbappé’s omission, after a difficult start to his career at Real Madrid.
Italy captain Donnarumma said on Saturday: “It is a significant absence. I know him well and he is undoubtedly one of the elite players in the world. His presence would have posed threats to us, but France also has a plethora of talented players that can create challenges and bring energy to the game.”
As France fell to a tense goalless draw against Israel without Mbappe, they now face the daunting task of needing a win by at least two goals at the iconic San Siro to secure top spot in Group A2.
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Italy’s campaign has seen a revival, remaining undefeated since their disappointing title defense at the European Championship. They currently hold a three-point lead over France, showing their resurgence under the guidance of Luciano Spalletti.
Reflecting on their positive momentum, Donnarumma highlighted how Italy, who could have claimed a perfect record if not for a resilient 2-2 draw against Belgium while competing with just ten players, have found their rhythm again.
Midfielder Sandro Tonali, who recently scored his first international goal in a narrow victory over Belgium, resonated with the camaraderie within the team, stating that the players were eager to reunite after their club commitments. He commented: “The coaching staff has identified the right strategies for us, which means that Italy is starting to look like Italy again. After the disappointments of the Euro, we needed a spark, and our aim is to continue evolving, working hard and “Most importantly, entertain our fans.”
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Looking to make an impact for France will be Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram, who has enjoyed a prosperous season at the club, scoring 23 times since his move from Borussia Moenchengladbach. Despite his success in the league, Thuram has struggled at international level, scoring just twice in 28 appearances, with his last goal for Les Bleus dating back over a year against lowly Gibraltar.
Defender Ibrahim Konaté expressed confidence in Thuram’s potential, stating: “He is performing exceptionally well at Inter. Although he has not been as impactful for the national team as we had hoped, we believe he will arrive in due time. His talent is unquestionable and we are optimistic about their contributions in the future.”
