Italy and France Clash in Decisive UEFA Nations League Match

On Sunday, November 17, 2024, Italy and France are set to face off in a crucial match that will determine the leader of Group 2 in the UEFA Nations League. The encounter, scheduled to kick off at 20:45 CET at the San Siro stadium in Milan, promises to be a high-stakes duel between two of Europe’s top football nations.

Italy, currently leading the group with 13 points from four victories and one draw, needs only a draw to secure the top spot. In contrast, France, with 10 points from three wins, one draw, and one loss, must win by a two-goal margin to overtake Italy and claim the group leadership[2][3][6].

The Italian team, managed by Luciano Spalletti, has been in strong form, having recently defeated Belgium 1-0. However, they will be without goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is out due to a viral infection, and will be replaced by Guglielmo Vicario. The Italians are also expected to start with Nicolò Barella and Federico Dimarco, who have been key players in their recent successes[3][5][6].

France, under the guidance of Didier Deschamps, faces several challenges, including the absence of key players like N’Golo Kanté and Eduardo Camavinga. Despite these setbacks, France will rely on players such as Marcus Thuram, Michael Olise, and Christopher Nkunku to drive their attack. The French team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 0-0 draw against Israel in their last match[2][3][6].

The match will be broadcast live on various platforms, including UEFA TV and Rai 1 in Italy, with streaming options available on Rai Play and Disney+ for viewers in South America[2][3][6].

The referee for the match is Slovenian official Slavko Vincic, who will be assisted by his compatriots and an Hungarian VAR team[3][6].

This encounter is a rematch of the September 6, 2024, game where Italy won 3-1 away against France, with goals from Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi, and Giacomo Raspadori. The outcome of this match will be pivotal in determining the group standings and setting the stage for the next phase of the UEFA Nations League[6].