Italy are looking to cap off a fine 2024 Nations League group stage this weekend as they take on France.
Italy's post-Euro 2024 showings have been somewhat resurgent, with the Azzuri having rebounded from a desperately disappointing Euros campaign in the summer in style. Italy come into this game needing just a draw to secure top spot in the group and progress to the Nations League finals, something few would have expected given the difficulty of their group.
No secret was made of the quality (or lack thereof) of Italy's Euros campaign in the summer, and there were major questions being asked of manager Luciano Spalletti after their meek exit at the hands of Switzerland at the round of 16 phase in Germany, but the Italian FA have kept faith in the 2022-23 Serie A winner and as of now, that looks to be a smart decision.
Spalletti entered the job with his personal stocks very high given it was only shortly after he guided Napoli to the Serie A title so seeing the Italians deliver such a passive, spiritless showing was a shock to many. However, Spalletti had only been in the job for ten months when Euro 2024 came around so it was only fair that judgement should have been reserved.
Italy now look like a team reborn and their trajectory seems to have shifted quite abruptly, with the mood around the national team very high.
Italy have experienced a drop off in the level of talent at their disposal following their Euro 2020 victory but in light of a swathe off success in recent youth international tournaments, it looks like their fortunes are slowly changing in that regard.
This could, then, be the start of Italy's ascent back to the top of international football as they look to complete a double against the French.
France are currently 2nd in UEFA Nations League A, Group 2 with ten points from five games. Les Bleus are in a similar position to the Italians, where they're trying to regroup following an unsuccessful (but notably more successful than Italy's) Euros campaign ahead of their 2026 World Cup charge.
France, despite reaching the semi-finals, looked very stale in an attacking sense in Germany and were heavily criticised for their showings, most of which were extremely dull. Since that tournament, France have done little to reinstall confidence in their prospects as World Cup contenders having delivered a sequence of very up-and-down performances in this competition.
Manager Didier Deschamps has been in charge of the national team for 12 years now, and despite reaching two World Cup finals and a Euros final in that timeframe, his tenure has started to come under intense scrutiny, with the former Marseille manager accused of not getting the best out of France's outstanding attacking talent.
It's hard to really question Deschamps given his record, but it's undeniable that France have not been playing to their potential for the best part of a year now. Should France fail to impress in the USA, Canada & Mexico in 2026, expect that Deschamps' exit will follow that tournament.
France need to win this game by two goals if they are to top the group and qualify for the finals of the Nations League, but given both teams' recent performances it's quite hard to favour them here, despite their immense squad depth.
Nations League - League A - Group 2 
