Italy is set to clash with France in a highly anticipated Nations League matchup on Thursday evening, with kick-off scheduled for 19:45 GMT at the San Siro. Ahead of this penultimate group stage match, five players in Roberto Mancini’s squad must avoid yellow cards to ensure their eligibility for the subsequent match against Belgium.
In their previous encounter last month in Paris, Italy and France ended in a 1-1 stalemate, making this upcoming match crucial for both teams. Currently, France tops the group standings with 10 points from four matches, while Italy holds second place with seven points. Belgium follows in third with six points, and Turkey sits at the bottom with none.
Italy’s recent squad announcement included changes as six players, including Honest Ahanor and Federico Gatti, have been dropped, yet they remain free to play against Belgium later this week.
Italy’s Matchday Squad vs. France
Goalkeepers: 1. Gianluigi Donnarumma, 12. Marco Carnesecchi, 13. Guglielmo Vicario
Defenders: 2. Michael Kayode, 3. Giorgio Scalvini, 5. Riccardo Calafiori, 6. Alessandro Bastoni, 11. Federico Dimarco, 14. Marco Palestra, 22. Daniele Ghilardi.
Midfielders: 4. Samuele Ricci, 8. Sandro Tonali, 10. Nicolò Fagioli, 15. Issa Doumbia, 16. Davide Frattesi, 17. Alessandro Romano, 18. Nicolo Barella
Forwards: 7. Sebastiano Esposito, 9. Pio Esposito, 19. Nicolò Cambiaghi, 20. Gianluca Scamacca, 21. Antonio Vergara, 23. Luca Koleosho.
Players at Risk of Suspension
In the Nations League, players receive suspensions following an accumulation of yellow cards. Currently, nine Italian players have been cautioned, with five in the squad for the match against France. These players are goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, defender Alessandro Bastoni, midfielder Nicolo Fagioli, winger Antonio Vergara, and forward Gianluca Scamacca.
While other Italy players like Moise Lean and Daniel Maldini have also received bookings, they are not part of the current roster. France has seen a lighter booking situation with only three players currently cautioned, none of whom will play against Italy on Thursday.
