France-Italy is a match valid for the group stage of the European Under-21 Championship 2023 and will be played on Thursday at 20:45: news, formations and France-Italy, European Under-21 Championship: free TV, probable formations,
France-Italy is a match in the group stage of the European Under-21 Championship 2023 and will be played on Thursday at 20:45: news, formations and predictions.
This is it. It’s Italy’s day at the European Under-21 Championships in Romania and Georgia. Paolo Nicolato’s Azzurrini are ready to make their debut against France, one of the most serious candidates for the final victory along with reigning champions Germany, Spain, Portugal, England and Italy itself, which dreams of a title that has been missing for 19 years.
An extremely demanding test, then, for Tonali and his team-mates – by the way, the AC Milan midfielder is now just a step away from Newcastle – already a “play-off” for the first place in the group, given that on paper neither Norway nor Switzerland seem to have the right credentials to threaten Italy and France. Nicolato has benefited from some so-called ‘presititi’ from the major national team, including Sandro Tonali and Wilfried Gnonto, but also Atalanta player Giorgio Scalvini, who has been called up several times by Roberto Mancini. Many elements, then, in recent years have accumulated a lot of experience in the top division: this is the case of Udogie, Bove, Rovella, Cambiaso, Parisi and Carnesecchi. Italy came through the qualifiers with a haul of seven wins and three draws, thus remaining undefeated. It won the last two friendlies against Serbia and Ukraine, but between September and November 2022 came two ugly defeats against England and Germany, 2-0 and 4-2 respectively.
France, like Italy, dominated its qualifying round, finishing ahead of everyone after taking 26 points out of 30 available.
Ripoll
Sylvain Ripoll’s selection wants to erase the elimination they suffered in the quarter-finals two years ago despite having players of the calibre of Tchouaméni and Camavinga in their squad. But the Under-21 European Championship is almost a taboo for the transalpines, who have not won since their 1988 triumph. They will try again this year, being able to count on the most expensive squad ever, which exceeds 400 million euros. In defence there are Milan’s Kalulu and Badé, fresh winner of the Europa League with Sevilla, while in midfield shines Khephren Thuram of Nice, third son of the former Parma and Juventus full-back. Up front we rely on Rennes striker Gouiri, who finished this year in Ligue 1 with a haul of 15 goals.
In the Azzurri attack, Cambiaghi and Colombo should start as starters, with Gnonto ready to come on as the game progresses. Udogie and Bellanova will play on the outside lanes. In France’s offensive trident, in addition to Gouiri, there are also Kalimuendo and Barcola.
The prediction
Perfect parity in the past: four wins each and five draws. Italy, however, have failed to beat France since 2007. The transalpines have a full squad in all departments and generally have something more than the Azzurrini, but the feeling is that Nicolato’s selection may be able to hold their own and at least avoid defeat. It is highly likely that both will score at least one goal on each side.
France v Italy official lineups
- FRANCE U21 (4-3-3): Chevalier; Kalulu, Badé, Lukeba, Nkounkou; Caqueret, Koné, Thuram; Barcola, Kalimuendo, Gouiri.
- ITALIA U21 (3-5-2): Carnesecchi; Okoli, Lovato, Scalvini; Bellanova, Ricci, Rovella, Tonali, Udogie; Colombo, Cambiaghi.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
