Emmanuel LANGELLIER, Media365, published on Sunday November 17, 2024 at 9:51 a.m.
Sunday evening, Italy will try to finish at the top of its Nations League group ahead of Mike Maignan's French team, whose comments Luciano Spalletti has not forgotten after the defeat of the Blues at the Parc des Princes during the first leg.
Sunday evening, we conclude in Group 2 of League A of the Nations League. While Belgium, 3rd with 4 points, will try to keep its play-off place against Israel (4th, 1 point) in Budapest, Italy welcomes the Blues in Milan. In a Giuseppe-Meazza enclosure which will be full, which will undoubtedly be a little strange for the French after the purge against the Israelis in front of 16,611 spectators at the Stade de France, Thursday evening, the Nazionale will aim to finish at the top of the group, which will allow it next March to receive a 2nd group during the quarter-finals. Before kick-off in Lombardy, she had a 3-point lead over Didier Deschamps' protégés, whom she had dominated at the Parc des Princes (3-1) in the first leg, on September 6. At worst, she will have to lose 1-0 to maintain her first place.
Spalletti: “I was even told that only two or three of our players could play in these selections”
Luciano Spalletti will be particularly motivated for this beautiful poster because he has not forgotten the words of Mike Maignan emerging from the French locker room following the initial setback. The goalkeeper had let out a rant, targeting a few teammates and saying that barely two Italian players would then have their place in the French team, “but that they had at least shown desire and aggressiveness” according to L’Equipe. This speech, which did not surprise AC Milan, the club of the French goalkeeper capable of losing his temper after a setback and in which he has been a leader for several seasons, the Italian coach used it to motivate your troops before the reunion.
And in front of the media, the former coach of Roma and Naples alluded to it. “We are playing well, and we will have to do it again. It will not be easy, because we are facing strong opponents, I was even told that only two or three of our players could play in these selections,” said Luciano Spalletti on Monday when launching the transalpine gathering. The Italian technician had it again 5 minutes later when he was asked if he feared a certain relaxation at a time when one point in 2 games was enough for the Italians to qualify. “A relaxation against France, where it is said that only two of our players could play? », questioned Spalletti, mischievous, who should not change too much the formation which won in Belgium (1-0) on Thursday. Manuel Locatelli could notably start in place of Nicolo Rovella in midfield like Moise Kean in attack at the expense of Mateo Retegui.
Italy's probable lineup against France: Donnarumma – Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni – Cambiaso, Frattesi, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco – Barella – Kean.
