Probable line-ups: France vs. Italy with big names returning

Probable line-ups: France vs. Italy with big names returning Italy are expected to start the Esposito brothers together again with Moise Kean not fully fit, a revamped midfield and Michael Kayode confirmed at right-back against France. It kicks off at the Stade de France in Paris on Friday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST). Roberto Mancini confirmed in his press conference that Como striker Kean is a major doubt and might not even be on the bench tomorrow evening. With that in mind, and their strong performance during the 4-1 victory in Turkiye , it looks as if brothers Pio and Sebastiano Esposito could be confirmed together upfront. Francesco Pio Esposito celebrates with his brother Sebastiano Esposito during Turkiye vs. Italy in the Nations League (@azzurri) The third prong of the trident attack won’t be Giacomo Raspadori or Nicolò Zaniolo, who were sent home with injuries, so Daniel Maldini is pushing for a start. While there were wholesale changes between the 2-0 defeat to Belgium and 4-1 win in Turkiye, what we could see is a hybrid between those two teams in Paris. Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Fagioli should remain from the most recent match, but with Inter star Nicolò Barella stepping in to replace Davide Frattesi. The alternative would be for Frattesi to get the nod rather than Fagioli, even if that gives them a lack of creativity. BURSA, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 28: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy inspects the pitch before with teammates before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Türkiye and Italy at Atatürk Spor Kompleksi Matli Stadyumu on September 28, 2026 in Bursa, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images) In defence, Kayode’s strong performance and goal in Bursa make it more and more likely the Brentford right-back will retain his spot, leaving Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the bench. Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal definitely returns after Matteo Ruggeri’s debut, with the central pairing of Alessandro Bastoni and Giorgio Scalvini confirmed. BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – SEPTEMBER 28: Zinedine Zidane, Head Coach of France, looks on before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Belgium and France at Stade Roi Baudouin on September 28, 2026 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) France also rotated with nine changes between the side that beat Turkiye to the one that conquered Belgium in the final minute. Kylian Mbappé has been sent home with a knee injury he sustained in the first match, but Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot and Roma talent Manu Koné should return to the starting XI. PARIS, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 13: Manu Kone of France in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between France and Ukraine at Parc des Princes on November 13, 2025 in Paris, France. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images) Although Lucas Da Cunha impressed in Brussels, the Como man is expected to sit on the bench against Italy. Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise are back in the trident, but Désiré Doué has perhaps done enough to retain his place. Inter’s Andy Diouf and Juventus full-back Pierre Kalulu should be dropped, but L’Equipe suggest Milan’s Mike Maignan could be rested in favour of 21-year-old Guillaume Restes for his debut. PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 04: Adrien Rabiot #14 of France arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Paraguay and France at Philadelphia Stadium on July 04, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) France vs. Italy probable line-ups France (4-3-3): Maignan; Koundé, Upamecano, Jacquet, Truffert; Cherki, Koné, Rabiot; Olise, Dembelé, Doué Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Kayode, Scalvini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Barella, Tonali, Fagioli; Maldini, P Esposito, S Esposito