Italy XI v France: Riccardo Calafiori and Sandro Tonali to start
· Yahoo Sports
Italy host France at Milan’s San Siro for Matchday 5 of the 2026-2027 UEFA Nations League on Thursday. Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri will try to be the first team to defeat Zinédine Zidane’s France. Italy first dented Zidane’s 100% record when they drew 1-1 at Saint-Denis’ Stade de France during the previous international break. Inter Milan centre-back Alessandro Bastoni cancelled out Michael Olise’s opener.
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L’Equipe predicts that four Premier League players will start tonight against France. Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will start between the sticks in his former Milan home. At the back, Mancini is set to rely on Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori and Brentford’s Michael Kayode to defend Italy’s flanks.
Italy will field experienced midfielders such as Davide Frattesi, Nicolo Barella and Sandro Tonali. On the contrary, Italy’s forwards only total 18 international caps as L’Equipe reports that Nicolo Cambiaghi, Pio Esposito and Sebastiano Esposito will start against France.
Italy likely line-up v France
Gianluigi Donnarumma; Riccardo Calafiori, Alessandro Bastoni, Giorgio Scalvini, Michael Kayode; Nicolo Barella, Sandro Tonali, Davide Frattesi; Nicolo Cambiaghi, Pio Esposito, Sebastiano Esposito. (L’Éq)