France may have reached the last four at this year's Euros - and Randal Kolo Muani's early goal in the semi-final against Spain gave them hope of reaching the final - but they were rarely convincing, scoring just once from set-pieces and own goals before going out.

Captain Kylian Mbappe, who scored just one goal, broke his nose in the opening game against Austria and returned wearing a mask that seemed to hamper his game, summing up an underwhelming tournament for the 2022 World Cup finalists.

Once again, Didier Deschamps was criticised for his cautious tactics, but the long-serving coach will now lead Les Bleus into a new campaign, with this season's Nations League on the agenda.

As well as global glory in 2018, Deschamps was also responsible for a French victory in the 2021 edition of UEFA's newest competition, but his side finished a distant third in their group last time out, taking just five points from six games.

France cannot afford such a poor showing again in 2024-25, as the nation that finishes bottom of each group will automatically be relegated, while the third-placed team will have to enter a play-off to avoid dropping into League B.

The top two finishers in Group 2 - which also includes Belgium and Israel - will qualify for a new round of quarter-finals, with the winners progressing to next June's finals.

If France were disappointed with their Euros, it is fair to say that Italy were dismayed as they scraped through a tough group thanks to Mattia Zaccagni's last-gasp goal against Croatia before crashing out at the first knockout stage.

Luciano Spalletti's side never really found their stride, and there was little to complain about when their title defence was brought to an abrupt end by neighbours Switzerland in the last 16.

Reflective as ever, Spalletti has since spoken of bringing clarity and consistency to Italy's side, while phasing out some of the more established members of his squad in favour of new blood.

Italy had arrived in Germany unbeaten in six matches since Spalletti took over from Euro 2020 winner Roberto Mancini, who departed after leading the Azzurri to top spot in their last Nations League group and then to third place in the final.

Ahead of next week's clash with Israel, La Nazionale face a tough start to the season against an opponent they have lost to in their last three friendlies, but famously beat in the 2006 World Cup final.

In fact, Friday's match will be Italy's first competitive encounter with France for some 16 years, as an age-old rivalry finally comes to life at the Parc des Princes.

France possible starting lineup:

Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Konate, T. Hernandez; Kante, Tchouameni, Zaire-Emery; Dembele, Thuram, Mbappe

Italy possible starting lineup:

Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Fagioli, Frattesi, Dimarco; Pellegrini, Zaccagni; Retegui

Prediction:France 2-0 Italy

France VS Italy stream and TV listing

International：Holasports