A mix of star power and youth were not enough for Didier Deschamps’s side to trouble a resilient Italy side on home soil.
France could not bounce back from their disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, losing 3-1 at home to Italy despite taking the lead.
Les Bleus got on the front foot very first whistle in the capital, Bradley Barcola closing down Andrea Cambiaso and slamming the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma inside the opening 60 seconds.
But goalkeeper Mike Maignan was forced into a few smart saves and could only watch as the Italians hit the woodwork in the first half before netting their equaliser on the 30-minute mark. Federico Dimarco and Sandro Tonali’s intricate link-up was too much for the French to handle as the left-back smashed the ball past the goalkeeper.
Early in the second half, the Azzurri had their second through Davide Frattesi, who coolly converted first time inside the box from a Mateo Retegui cross.
France’s misery was compounded by a third Italy goal not long after. Substitutes Destiny Udogie and Giacomo Raspadori combined to put the game to bed on what was a miserable night for the hosts.
GOAL rates France’s players from the Parc des Princes.
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Goalkeeper & Defence
Mike Maignan (7/10):
Made several good saves throughout the match and there was not much he could have done to stop any of Italy’s goals.
Jonathan Clauss (6/10):
Was a lonely figure at right-back in Paris and like several of his team-mates, struggled to get into the game, although he looked more lively in the final 20 minutes as France chased the game at 3-1 down.
Ibrahima Konate (6/10):
Was caught out on two of Italy’s three goals and endured a rather miserable night alongside Arsenal defender William Saliba.
William Saliba (7/10):
Did not falter from his usual commanding presence. Was a defensive rock for Didier Deschamps’ side and dealt with the aerial threat of striker Retegui well, heading away a particularly dangerous ball into the box during the first half.
Theo Hernandez (6/10):
Like Clauss in the other full-back role, Theo Hernandez struggled to balance attack and defence as Italy exploited the spaces out wide. He contributed a lot going forward but left a lot open at the back.
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Midfield
Youssouf Fofana (5/10):
Did not have his best night in a France shirt, getting dispossessed for Italy’s second goal and consequently being subbed off a few minutes later.
N’Golo Kante (6/10):
Patrolled the midfield as usual, cutting out a few key passes from Italy but was caught out of position a few times as the opposition broke.
Antoine Griezmann (5/10):
It would be easy to question whether the Atletico Madrid man was even playing, such was his minimal impact on the game.
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Attack
Michael Olise (5/10):
Struggled to get into the game with Italy doubling up on the Bayern Munich winger and was unsurprisingly hooked early in the second half.
Kylian Mbappe (5/10):
Was a big threat for France and the architect for almost all of their attacks, easily beating his opponents in one-on-one situations but did lose the ball for Italy’s third goal.
Bradley Barcola (7/10):
Looked sharp from the very first whistle and was quick enough to nick the ball away from Cambiaso before smashing the ball home. He then sent another good strike just wide of the goal close to half-time.
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Subs & Manager
Kouadio Kone (6/10):
Got stuck in but like Fofana, who he replaced, Kouadio Kone was often chasing shadows under the lights.
Ousmane Dembele (7/10):
Skewed a big chance for the hosts after coming on, but looked dangerous with his pace and put a few good crosses into the box.
Jules Kounde (7/10):
Stepped in at right-back during the closing stages and did not have much to do as France pushed for a way back into the game.
Warren Zaire-Emery (7/10):
Did not do too much wrong after coming on for the final 10 minutes in midfield, with Italy content to sit back and protect their lead.
Marcus Thuram (6/10):
Did not have the desired impact in attack despite a huge spell of France pressure late on.
Didier Deschamps (6/10):
Did not seem to set up in a way that would prevent Italy from hitting his side on the counter-attack. He made plenty of changes in the second half but it was a case of too little too late at 3-1 down.
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