Italy head coach Roberto Mancini says he is still worried about the threat France possesses in attack despite the absence of Kylian Mbappe.
He said this ahead of Italy’s UEFA Nations League clash against France on Thursday, November 12 in Milan with Mbappe set to miss the clash with a hamstring problem that was confirmed by France head coach Zinedine Zidane.
France captain Mbappe has scored 18 goals in 17 games played in all competitions thus far in the 2026-2027 season and is an integral member of Zidane’s team but Mancini insisted that France still have potent weapons even in Mbappe’s absence.
“I would suggest he doesn’t risk it-the injury” Mancini said with a laugh and added that, “Besides, there’s the Champions League coming up for Real Madrid, so it’s better if he doesn’t play tomorrow.”
“Joking aside, France has so many forwards — each one better than the next — that it’s hard to choose between them.”
France are yet to lose a game in four appearances in the UEFA Nations League Group A while Italy have two wins, a draw and a loss in four outings.
