France v Italy: Zinedine Zidane Set for Home Bow as Roberto Mancini Begins 'Long Journey'
France can secure top spot in Group A1 with a win, while Zinedine Zidane takes charge of his first home match as coach.
- On Friday, October 2, 2026, France hosts Italy at the Stade de France for matchday three of the UEFA Nations League, marking manager Zinedine Zidane's first home game in charge of Les Bleus.
- Les Bleus currently top Group A1 with six points after Zidane recorded consecutive 1-0 victories over Turkey and Belgium, having officially taken the role in July.
- France's defense allowed just 1.9 expected goals in the Nations League, the lowest of any side, while Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise has recorded 13 goal contributions in 14 appearances this year.
- Led by returning coach Roberto Mancini, Italy enters the match following a 4-1 win over Turkey that featured debut goals from brothers Pio Esposito and Sebastiano Esposito.
- This fixture resurrects memories of the 2006 World Cup final for Zidane, though France has dominated recent meetings, suffering only three defeats across the past 16 encounters.
106 Articles
106 Articles
Absent from the last three Worlds, the Italian selection is going through a period of crisis. On Friday, Roberto Mancini's players, opposed to Les Bleus at the Stade de France in the Nations League, intend to win back the hearts of fans.
Italy will travel to the Stade de France to face France in the UEFA Nations League. This match will be a test of the consistency of Roberto Mancini's squad.
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This Friday marks the third day of the League of Nations with a France-Italy match at the Stade de France. What you need to know about the match and its diffusion.
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