Les Bleus took an early lead at San Siro through Michael Olise to put one foot in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, but were pegged back by a Francesco Pio Esposito double and Davide Frattesi strike. Italy seized control of the game in the second half after the two sides went in level at the break following an opening period dominated by Zidane’s side.
Zinedine Zidane was unimpressed with his side’s defensive display after suffering his first defeat as France head coach against Italy on Thursday, but described the setback as “part of the process”.
Zidane’s side host Turkey, who have failed to pick up a single point thus far, in their final game on Sunday, while Italy travel to Belgium, who are one point behind in third. Frattesi’s goal arrived three minutes after Sebastiano Esposito had missed a penalty, and France conceded a second spot kick, converted by the younger Esposito brother, to take the game beyond the visitors. Asked if the team lacked courage, he replied: “No, quite the opposite. It’s part of the process. Let’s hope someone surpasses him. We need goals from Pio and the others too, but he can score a lot.”
We stayed in the game, we did well in possession, especially in the first half, but in the second half we caved in a bit, especially after 2-1. France were twice denied by the woodwork and had 60 per cent possession and 18 attempts during an entertaining game as they slipped behind Italy into second place on head-to-head record in Group A1. Esposito’s double caught the attention as the Inter Milan striker took his international tally to nine goals in 14 games, and Mancini believes he could even eye the long-standing national record held by 1968 European champion Gigi Riva. “Gigi Riva has been up there on 35 for a lifetime.
“Let’s hope he scores a lot more goals,” Mancini said.
