Italy came away from France with a 1-1 stalemate in the Nations League, as Alessandro Bastoni wiped out Michael Olise’s opener in Paris. France ended the contest with ten players following Dayot Upamecano’s dismissal.
The Azzurri altered their lineup in two positions compared to the team that defeated Türkiye 4-1, as Riccardo Calafiori came back in at left-back and Moise Kean took the place of the injured Giacomo Raspadori. Michael Kayode retained his spot following a strong debut in which he scored, while Nicolò Barella unexpectedly started the match among the substitutes.
France 1-1 Italy in an action-packed first half
Italy carved out the first clear opening after eight minutes when Kayode delivered a low cross from the right flank. Kean had an opportunity to convert from close range at the back post, but his mishit attempt allowed Mike Maignan to gather the ball.
France went close when a Désiré Doué cross deflected off Sandro Tonali and hit the top of the crossbar. Down the other end, Sebastiano Esposito could not connect properly with a promising volley.
Ousmane Dembélé forced a save from Gianluigi Donnarumma, though he was ultimately caught offside. Italy then generated two noteworthy chances in the 42nd minute. Pio Esposito headed down a long Kayode throw-in for Davide Frattesi, whose shot was deflected narrowly wide. From the ensuing corner, Kean put the ball in the net but was flagged offside.
Nations League pressure after the interval
France maintained their attacking momentum after the break, but Donnarumma pulled off a superb double save. He initially kept out a curling strike from Doué before reacting swiftly to block Dembélé from close quarters. The Italy goalkeeper then denied another Olise attempt shortly afterwards.
France finally made the breakthrough when a Rayan Cherki free-kick from just outside the box was flicked on for Olise. His fierce shot took a deflection off the wall before bouncing into the goal off the underside of the crossbar.
Italy hit back by bringing on Napoli winger Antonio Vergara for his debut and shifting Kean into a central striking role. The substitution paid dividends quickly as a Vergara counterattack was blocked, while Da Cunha was dispossessed by Bastoni, who had charged forward from the back. The defender then lashed the ball into the net from the edge of the box.
Bastoni’s equaliser was the first goal Zidane’s France had conceded and meant the French team had still not recorded a clean sheet against Italy since their 0-0 draw in September 2007.
Bastoni and Donnarumma preserve Italy’s draw
Donnarumma stayed pivotal to Italy’s resistance, getting down to make a crucial fingertip save from Adrien Rabiot and push the angled attempt around the far post. France also called for a penalty after an accidental collision between Doué and Barella, but the appeals were turned down.
Italy nearly completed the comeback when Vergara floated a cross towards the back post for Kean. His looping header was tipped onto the top of the crossbar by Maignan, while Donnarumma later produced another fine save to push away an Eduard Camavinga strike.
France were cut to ten men when Upamecano picked up a second yellow card. The defender was first booked for disputing with Kean before earning another yellow for wrestling the striker to the ground.
Barella then failed to connect cleanly with a deflected Vergara pull-back from 10 yards, sending the ball over the crossbar. In stoppage time, Donnarumma kept out another Camavinga effort before Bastoni made a vital sliding challenge on Olise, with France’s penalty appeals once again dismissed.