Cyrille de la Morinerie // Photo credit: FRANCK FIFE / AFP
06:00, November 17, 2024modified to
Sunday November 17 at 8:45 p.m., Didier Deschamps’ men face Italy in Milan. The French are already qualified for the quarter-finals of the League of Nations after their draw against Israel at the Stade de France last Thursday. But after putting in a tasteless performance, the Blues must re-mobilize in Italy.
During this 6th and final day of the Nations League group phase, France must win with more than two goals to finish first in its group. Opposite, the Squadra Azzurra dominates with 13 points ahead of the French team, 2nd with 10 units in the ranking. The highly anticipated meeting will be broadcast on TF1. Kick-off: 8:45 p.m.
Proving yourself in Italy
The Blues will play in the huge San Siro stadium in Milan and unlike the Stade de France which was three-quarters empty last Thursday, the fans will be numerous and noisy. It must be said that the context is necessarily less anxiety-provoking than in Saint-Denis. Bradley Barcola, Mickael Olise and even Warren Zaire-Emery owe French supporters a revenge, after delivering a tasteless performance against Israel confirms defender Lucas Digne.
“There are negative points in our performance. We have the chance to play again this Sunday in a legendary stadium and to show another face,” he declared at the microphone of Europe 1. A French team that is groping after the departure of the majority of its world champion executives. The last survivors of the Russian adventure in 2018 are N’Golo Kanté and Benjamin Pavard, Mbappé being absent from this gathering.
For Didier Deschamps, the work ahead is immense, explains Europe 1 consultant Alain Giresse. “I think we have to focus now on finding and rebuilding a team, because we cannot bring out a successful 11. I believe that Didier Deschamps is aware of the situation. He knows very well unfortunately what that needs to be resolved for this team.” After being beaten by the Italians 3 goals to 1 at the Parc des Princes last September, the French will try to win by 2 goals, in order to finish first in their Nations League group.
