The Stade de France welcomed Zinédine Zidane back with the old memories still hanging in the air, but France could not turn a bright evening into a third straight win. Michael Olise produced another moment of rare quality, only for Italy to earn a 1-1 Nations League draw through Alessandro Bastoni.
France had arrived after away victories over Turkey and Belgium, with Olise’s decisive goal in Brussels giving Zidane an early signature result as national-team coach. The return to Saint-Denis was meant to extend that momentum, yet an Italian side that survived a demanding opening spell left with a deserved point.
France press early but Italy threaten first
Zidane’s side took control of possession from the start and pressed Italy high up the pitch. France accepted risks at the back, asking Dayot Upamecano and Jérémy Jacquet to deal with direct duels, but their territorial dominance brought few clear openings before half-time.
Italy were the more threatening team in front of goal. Moïse Kean should have done better when presented with an open target in the ninth minute, but Mike Maignan made an important save. Davide Frattesi then saw a shot take a touch off Jacquet and drift narrowly wide shortly before the interval.
At the other end, Ousmane Dembélé struggled to make an impact while operating as a false nine. Gianluigi Donnarumma was initially kept relatively quiet, though the former Paris goalkeeper was increasingly involved after the break.
Olise lights up Saint-Denis again
Donnarumma first stopped Désiré Doué’s attempt and then denied Dembélé from the rebound in the 48th minute. Two minutes later, he pushed away a curling effort from Olise.
There was nothing he could do with Olise’s next strike. In the 55th minute, the midfielder sent a free-kick against the crossbar and into the net to put France ahead. It was another set-piece masterpiece from a player who has repeatedly delivered decisive flashes for Zidane’s new-look France.
Olise had already scored the winner in Belgium on Monday, after a memorable solo run, prompting an emotional celebration from Zidane on the touchline. He had also made his mark at the Stade de France during France’s March 2024 Nations League quarter-final second leg against Croatia, a 2-0 win that preceded a penalty-shootout qualification.
Bastoni punishes France error
France’s lead lasted only 13 minutes. Adrien Rabiot’s attempted build-up pass put Lucas Da Cunha under severe pressure, and Bastoni won possession before advancing into a one-on-one situation with Maignan. The Italian defender finished calmly to level the game in the 68th minute.
Rabiot tested Donnarumma with a deflected shot two minutes later, while Kean forced Maignan into another strong save with a header in the 81st minute. Eduardo Camavinga also came close twice late on, bringing two fine interventions from Donnarumma in the 84th minute and in stoppage time.
France had to see out the closing stages after Upamecano was sent off in the 86th minute. The draw ends their perfect start to the campaign, but Zidane’s team remain unbeaten after three Nations League matches.
France return to the Stade de France on Monday, when Belgium provide the next test for a side still being shaped around its new manager and the increasingly central influence of Olise.
