France 1-1 Italy: Zidane’s 10 men endure frustrating homecoming as Azzurri claim point

UEFA Nations League,
League A – 3

Stade de France

Jesus Gil Manzano

Michael Olise 55′

Alessandro Bastoni 68′

France He failed to win under Zinedine Zidane for the first time as it was held to a 1-1 draw UEFA Nations League draw for Italy at the Estadio de France.

Zidane’s men had taken maximum points from their games with Turkey and Belgium but were unconvincing for long periods in their first home game in charge, which was their first game at the national stadium since March last year.

Still, they appeared on course for all three points after a stunning Michael Olise free-kick gave Les Bleus the lead 10 minutes into the second half.

Italy, however, played with a confidence that has so often been lacking in recent years and, after securing the first win of Roberto Mancini’s second spell in charge in the previous game against Turkey, stunned the Saint-Denis crowd when Alessandro Bastoni equalized with his second goal in as many games.

Both teams had chances to take the three points and with France reduced to 10 men after Dayot Upamecano picked up his second booking, the Azzurri will likely be more frustrated not to do so.

France remain top of Group 1 of the Nations League A, with Italy three points behind them in third.

France frustrated in Zidane’s first game at home

Moise Kean was guilty of a stunning miss nine minutes into the contest, the Como striker unable to cap off a brilliant move from Italy with the goal at his mercy at the far post as he somehow managed to turn Michael Kayode’s low delivery across goal and into the arms of Mike Maignan.

France struggled to trouble Gianluigi Donnarumma for much of the first half, although Italy breathed a sigh of relief when Olise’s deflected cross went over the top of the bar.

Davide Frattesi saw an effort narrowly deflected from a long throw as Italy caused France more problems late in the first half, and Kean saw a goal ruled out for offside shortly before half-time.

France came out in the second half with renewed energy and Donnarumma was forced into a stunning double save shortly after the restart to deny Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele.

The Italian keeper then equalized an Olise goal, but there was absolutely nothing Donnarumma could do to prevent a wonderful free-kick from Olise, who left the Manchester City shot-stopper rooted to the spot with a sublime curling strike that clanged off the crossbar.

Italy, however, responded well and were ruthless in punishing a mistake by Como midfielder Lucas da Cunha, whose strong touch saw him dispossessed by Bastoni.

The Inter Milan centre-back then showed superb composure in a stunning foray into the box, beating Mike Maignan with a confident finish that the scrambling Jeremy Jacquet could only help into the net.

Adrien Rabiot came agonizingly close to restoring France’s lead when he saw Donnarumma turn a through ball on the post, before Kean almost atoned for his earlier miss with a header which Maignan was forced to tip over.

Eduardo Camavinga’s long-range strike was denied by the brilliant Donnarumma as France looked for a winner, but their ambition to do so was cut short after Upamecano was shown a second yellow for bringing down Kean.

Italy squandered a great chance to take advantage of their extra man when substitute Nicolo Barella turned over from close range, and only Donnarumma’s impressive reflexes ensured they weren’t punished for the blunder when he superbly cleared a piledriver from Camavinga.

There was controversy at the end when Olise went down under Bastoni’s challenge, but Jesus Gil Manzano’s decision that the defender had done enough with the ball was upheld by VAR, with France settling for a point.

UEFA Nations League table

Next matches of France and Italy