Michael Olise scored another spectacular goal but Italy fought back to draw 1-1. The result denied Zidane a home win on his France debut.
Michael Olise scored another spectacular goal but France were held to a 1-1 draw by Italy on Friday, denying new coach Zinedine Zidane a victory in his first home match at the Stade de France. Alessandro Bastoni capitalized on a French defensive mistake to equalize for Italy in the second half, ending Zidane’s bid to become the first France coach to win his first three matches in charge since Henri Michel in 1984.
Olise opened the scoring in the 55th minute with a 25-yard free kick that struck the underside of the crossbar and went in past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, his seventh goal in his last nine appearances for club and country. The goal came four days after Olise scored a stunning solo winner to beat Belgium, extending his hot streak since returning to the starting lineup after a substitute appearance. Italy equalized when Inter Milan defender Bastoni intercepted a pass from Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha as France attempted to play out from a goal kick, capitalizing on the turnover to finish the move himself. France’s frustration deepened late when defender Dayot Upamecano was sent off five minutes from time.
Donnarumma kept Italy in the match with several key saves, including a double stop against Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue early in the second half and a low save to deny Adrien Rabiot moments after Italy’s equalizer, while Italy striker Moise Kean missed a close-range chance in the first half and had a goal disallowed for offside. France played without captain Kylian Mbappe, who remains out with a knee injury suffered while scoring the winning goal against Turkey last month. “I am happy with the performance, albeit not with the result,” Zidane said after the match, adding that France had chances to find a second goal and could not convert them.
The result leaves France atop UEFA Nations League Group A1 with seven points, one ahead of Belgium, which beat Turkey 3-0 on the same night. Italy sit on four points ahead of hosting Turkey in their final group match. France will close out the window by hosting Belgium on Monday, a match that could decide the group’s winner.
This report is based on information from ESPN, France 24, Al Jazeera (citing AFP) and The National.