PLAYER RATINGS | Italy 3-1 France: Disastrous second half undoes France in Zinédine Zidane’s first defeat as Les Bleus boss

PLAYER RATINGS | Italy 3-1 France: Disastrous second half undoes France in Zinédine Zidane’s first defeat as Les Bleus boss UEFA Nations League, Matchday 5, 12/11/2026 Zinédine Zidane conceded his first defeat as France manager as Les Bleus shipped three unanswered goals after Michael Olise’s early opener. It’s all to play for in the race to qualify for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. The Match France only needed a draw at Milan’s San Siro to qualify for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals following Belgium’s victory over Türkiye. In the absence of Ousmane Dembélé, Marcus Thuram and Kylian Mbappé, Zinédine Zidane trusted Désiré Doué to lead the line. More often that not, the PSG winger switched sides with Liverpool’s Bradley Barcola. But France needed neither to open the scoring only ten minutes in. Indeed, Gianluigi Donnarumma – who had a spectacular game in Italy’s draw against France last month – gifted the visitors an early lead in passing the ball straight to Michael Olise. The Bayern Munich winger dribbled past Alessandro Bastoni before applying a confident finish past the culprit. France exerted control over Italy’s midfield, with Adrien Rabiot honouring his first start as France captain with an industrious shift. Les Bleus were flowing in transition, but not lethal enough as their lack of an experienced focal point in attack showed. France wasted several chances, and Italy only had to convert their first opportunity to restore parity. The equaliser stemmed from Nicolo Cambiagh beating Chelsea’s Malo Gusto with too much ease on France’s right flank. The Bologna striker found Pio Esposito, at home at San Siro, who stuck a leg out in front of Dayot Upamecano to beat Milan’s Mike Maignan. France had further chances to regain their lead. Barcola came the closest to do it after a sweeping team move that involved Lucas Da Cunha, Rayan Cherki and Olise, but the Liverpool man could only hit Donnarumma’s woodwork. France’s wastefulness – already on show in the previous international break – was still on show as the visitors only logged three shots on target in the first half out of their ten attempts. France wasted more chances as Donnarumma regained his confidence in stopping attempts from Cherki and Rabiot. Les Bleus then conceded a needless penalty as Cambiaghi got the better of Gusto again. The older of the Esposito brothers – Sebastiano – lost his nerves and blasted his spot-kick far and wide. Italy’s warning shot fell on deaf France ears. Gusto was the culprit again in allowing Di Marco a free cross for the unmarked Davide Frattesi to overpower Maignan. France were on the ropes, and they would make matters worse for themselves as Upamecano conceded a penalty in fouling Antonio Vergara. Inter’s Pio Esposito completed his brace to give the hosts some breathing room. Defense-wise, it was a chastening defeat for Zidane, who handed Senny Mayulu, Saël Kumbedi and Eli Junior Kroupi their international debut. France have conceded their first away defeat over Italy since 1962. They’re now second in their A1 UEFA Nations League group before Sunday’s home game against Türkiye. France Player ratings Mike Maignan, 4 Adrien Truffert, 4 Jérémy Jacquet, 3 Far from being as confident as in his last outings for France. Should have done better in two of Italy’s three goals, and his output going forward was poor. Dayot Upamecano, 3 After being sent off in the return leg last month, he failed to replicate his Bayern Munich form on the international stage. Too slow to react for Esposito’s equaliser and too clumsy in fouling Vergara for the penalty. Malo Gusto, 2 The Chelsea right-back was given the chance to impress given that Jules Koundé and Pierre Kalulu were injured. He didn’t seize it at all. All too friable in defending on Cambiaghi for Italy’s equaliser, conceded a needless penalty and Italy’s second goal stemmed from his side. Just a terrible night for him. Adrien Rabiot, 5 Lucas Da Cunha, 4 Rayan Cherki, 4 Bradley Barcola, 4 Désiré Doué, 4 Michael Olise, 6 GFFN | Bastien Cheval