France emerged victorious in their Nations League clash against Italy at the San Siro in Milan, securing a 3-1 win despite the absence of star forward Kylian Mbappe. Adrien Rabiot opened the scoring for France in the second minute, followed by an own goal from Guglielmo Vicario in the 33rd minute. Andrea Cambiaso pulled one back for Italy in the 35th minute, but Rabiot sealed the win for France with a second goal in the 65th minute.
Mbappe’s exclusion from the French squad has raised eyebrows, with reports suggesting he refused to be called up. L’Equipe claims that Mbappe prefers to stay in Spain and not join his national team, and that he may not want to be part of France as long as Didier Deschamps is in charge. The pair have reportedly had a falling out.
Deschamps acknowledged Mbappe’s “complicated” situation, stating that the player is experiencing a difficult time. He emphasized the demanding nature of the modern football environment and the potential for psychological issues.
Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma expressed surprise at Mbappe’s absence, acknowledging his status as one of the world’s best players. He noted that Mbappe’s presence could have posed a significant threat to Italy.
France’s victory extends their unbeaten streak to six matches, while Italy’s hopes of reaching the Nations League finals are dented. The result also highlights the ongoing saga surrounding Mbappe’s future with the French national team.
