France Without Mbappé, Tchouaméni for Italy Nations League Clash in Milan
France, unbeaten under Zidane and leading Group A1 on 10 points, were set to visit Italy in Milan on November 12 without Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni, in a Nations League game that could bring them close to first place.
France and Italy were scheduled to meet on Thursday, November 12, at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan in the fifth round of Group A1 of the 2026/27 Nations League, the competition known in Spanish as the liga de naciones. France arrived leading the group, but without two key players.
Coach Zidane lost Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni late. Mbappé did not train in the build-up to the match.
What was at stake
France lead the group with 10 points and are unbeaten in the Zidane era. Italy, coached by Roberto Mancini, sit second with seven points. They beat Turkey twice and drew with France in Saint-Denis.
A draw in Milan would leave France very close to first place. They could secure it on Sunday against Turkey.
Expected France lineup
Projected in a 4-3-3, France line up with Mike Maignan in goal. Malo Gusto, Jérémy Jacquet, Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Truffert make up the back four. Rayan Cherki, Eduardo Camavinga and Adrien Rabiot are the likely midfield trio. Michael Olise, Désiré Doué and Barcola complete the attack.
Maignan started all four games of the Zidane era and has conceded just two goals. Camavinga could step in for the injured Tchouaméni. Barcola is a likely starter because Mbappé is absent.
Upamecano was sent off for a second yellow card in the October draw with Italy and missed the game against Belgium. His duel with Francesco Pio Esposito is expected to be decisive.
Olise has four goals and one assist in this Nations League. He scored against Italy and added a double in the rout of Belgium. Cherki scored the 2-1 goal in the comeback against Belgium and set up Olise in the first meeting with Italy.
Rabiot made the mistake that led to Bastoni's goal in that first game. He is looking for redemption in Milan.
Expected Italy lineup
Italy are also projected in a 4-3-3. Gianluigi Donnarumma starts in goal, with Michael Kayode, Giorgio Scalvini, Alessandro Bastoni and Riccardo Calafiori in defense. Nicolò Barella, Sandro Tonali and Issa Doumbia form the midfield. Antonio Vergara, Francesco Pio Esposito and Sebastiano Esposito lead the attack.
