France predicted XI v Italy: Kylian Mbappé out, Désiré Doué to lead the line

France predicted XI v Italy: Kylian Mbappé out, Désiré Doué to lead the lineFrance play Italy away tonight at Milan’s San Siro for Matchday 5 of the 2026-2027 UEFA Nations League. Zinédine Zidane’s Les Bleus only need a draw tonight to qualify for the tournament’s quarter-finals in March 2027. Zidane won’t have a fully-fit squad at his disposal as several key players will miss out. France captain Kylian Mbappé won’t feature against Roberto Mancini’s Azzurrias he nurses a minor hamstring strain. Zidane hopes to rely on the Real Madrid frontman for Sunday’s home game against Türkiye.Zidane doesn’t have much choice to fill the Mbappé-shaped void up front. Although he called up Eli Junior Kroupi and Senny Mayulu, both these players are uncapped at senior international level. L’Equipe understands that PSG’s versatile winger Désiré Doué will be given the nod to lead the line in Zidane’s 4-3-3 set-up. Liverpool’s Bradley Barcola and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise will play on the wings.AC Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot is poised to tread on familiar grounds at San Siro, such as Mike Maignan and Inter Milan’s Andy Diouf. After impressing in his first outings at international level, Liverpool’s Jérémy Jacquet is set to partner Dayot Upamecano.France likely line-up v ItalyMike Maignan; Andy Diouf, Dayot Upamecano, Jérémy Jacquet, Malo Gusto; Adrien Rabiot, Lucas Da Cunha, Rayan Cherki; Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué, Michael Olise. (L’Éq)GFFN | Bastien Cheval