France vs Italy: Preview, kick-off time and where to watch on TV and online – UEFA Nations League 2024/25
The Italy Men's National Team begin their 2024/25 UEFA Nations League campaign with a trip north to face France at the Parc des Princes on Friday evening.
Following a disappointing 2024 European Championship for both nations, they will be looking to quickly bounce back with a win to kickstart the Nations League campaign.
Both countries feel that they are operating beneath their potential limit with France expecting to be in the final of every tournament they enter, and Italy expecting to challenge in the latter stages more regularly.
France vs Italy: Predicted line-ups
Didier Deschamps has made few changes to his Euro 2024 squad so his starting XI should remain the same as before. Because of this, Les Bleus should have some Serie A representation in their lineup. AC Milan duo Theo Hernandez and Mike Maignan are expected to start, whilst Inter's Marcus Thuram is also in the frame to start.
The story is not the same for Luciano Spalletti. From his Euro 2024 squad, there are eight absences - starters Gianluca Scamacca and Nicolo Barella are both missing from the latest Azzurri call-up due to injury.
However, the coach can count on some returning faces like Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali who returned from his gambling suspension this weekend.
France predicted XI vs Italy (4-3-3): Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Konate, Theo Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Zaire-Emery; Dembele, Thuram, Mbappe.
Italy predicted XI vs France (3-4-2-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Fagioli, Frattesi, Dimarco; Pellegrini, Zaccagni; Retegui.
UEFA Nations League: When does France vs Italy start?
Kick-off in the UEFA Nations League Matchday 1 fixture of France vs Italy is set for 20:45 CEST, local time in France, on Friday, September 6.
For viewers in the United Kingdom and Ireland, the game will start at 19:45 BST. That is 14:45 EDT / 11:45 PDT in the United States.
UEFA Nations League: Where to watch France vs Italy
Unfortunately for fans in the United Kingdom, this fixture will not be televised.
For fans in Ireland, though, France vs Italy in the UEFA Nations League will be shown on Virgin Media Two.
In the United States, you can watch the game on ViX and Vix Premium Deportes 7.