Italy vs France Nations League: Free Streams, Kick-off Times and Team News

Italy and France meet at San Siro in Milan in a Nations League fixture that says more about where both teams are heading than the group table alone. Roberto Mancini is in the second phase of his time in charge of the Azzurri, and Zinedine Zidane's France side are trying to build depth without several first-choice defenders. Both coaches have a lot to prove, and the result could shape how the rest of the competition looks for each side.

Italy's rebuild under Mancini

Italy's start to Mancini's second spell was rocky. They lost 2-0 to Belgium in their opening game, but since then they have gone three matches unbeaten. They beat Turkey both home and away, and a 1-1 draw with France in the reverse fixture suggested the team is starting to play the way Mancini wants.

The European champions of 2021 have failed to qualify for two successive World Cups, which is the real context for this game. Winning a tournament is one thing. Rebuilding the habits of a side that has been absent from the biggest stage is another, and a match against France is a useful measuring stick.

The most eye-catching name is Pio Esposito, who is 21 and already has seven goals in 13 caps. That's a striking return for a player at this stage of his international career. Nicolò Barella, who has been a constant in the midfield, is the other figure to watch. If Italy can get the ball to Esposito in dangerous areas, they have a path to goals. That said, Italy's attack will need to create chances consistently against a France team that can punish mistakes quickly.

France's response after the Belgium win

France had a far more eventful run into this window. They trailed Belgium with 13 minutes to go, then recovered to win 4-1. Goals from Désiré Doué, Rayan Cherki and a Michael Olise brace did the damage in October, and it was the kind of late turnaround that suggests the attacking group has a lot of firepower on the bench as well as on the pitch.

The 2018 world champions also welcome back captain Kylian Mbappé from injury for this international window. His return changes the shape of the forward line and gives Zidane a proven finisher to call on in a match where Italy will look to limit space.

The defensive picture is less clear. Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba and Jules Koundé are all unavailable through injury, which means France are asking younger players to step up. Adrien Truffert and Jérémy Jacquet are likely to get the chance to plug the gaps. That's a real test of depth. Young full-backs and centre-backs playing against a side with pace and quality in wide areas tend to face their hardest examination in exactly these situations, and how they cope may decide the match.

A win would send France through to the quarter-finals with a game to spare, which gives Zidane a clear incentive to get the result without taking unnecessary risks with his squad.

Expected line-ups

Italy XI: Donnarumma, Kayode, Scalvini, Bastoni, Calafiori, Frattesi, Tonali, Barella, P. Esposito, S. Esposito, Cambiaghi.

France XI: Maignan, Gusto, Jacquet, Upamecano, Truffert, Cherki, Da Cunha, Rabiot, Olise, Doué, Barcola.

Italy's lineup suggests a midfield built around control and drive, with Barella and Tonali providing energy alongside Frattesi. France's selection leans on attacking width through Cherki, Olise, Doué and Barcola, with Rabiot anchoring the middle. Whether Italy can keep the French forwards quiet from open play will matter as much as their own finishing.

Head-to-head history

These two sides have met 40 times. France hold the edge with 19 wins, against 12 for Italy, and there have been nine draws. The most recent meeting in the Nations League ended 1-1, so the rivalry is close on paper even if France have more wins overall.

Where to watch Italy vs France

The match will be shown for free in both countries involved. In Italy, RAI 1 is the broadcaster, with streaming on RaiPlay. In France, TF1 is showing the game, and viewers can stream it on TF1+.

Elsewhere, coverage depends on where you live:

United States: FS1 is the broadcast channel. It's available through Sling, YouTube TV, Fubo and DirecTV Stream. Fox One, priced at $19.99 a month, will carry a number of Nations League matches, including this one.

United Kingdom: Prime Video is showing the match as a pay-per-view event for £2.49.

Canada: DAZN holds the rights. Access requires its soccer package, which starts at CA$24.99 a month and also includes Premier League, Champions League and Bundesliga coverage.

Australia: beIN Sports 3 is the channel, available through beIN Sports Connect. There's a 7-day free trial, with plans starting at AU$16.99 a month or AU$169.99 a year.

Kick-off is 7:45pm GMT on Thursday 12 November, which is 2:45pm ET, 11:45am PT, and 6:45am AEDT on Friday 13 November in Australia. Check the local time against your own region before you plan, since the Australian start falls on a different calendar day.

Watching from abroad

Free and regional streams are tied to the country where you are when you connect. If you're travelling, a streaming service may restrict access based on your location, and a subscription you already pay for may not work from another country. Check the terms and availability of your own services before kick-off, especially if you plan to rely on a free Italian or French stream while outside those countries.

What to watch for

The most interesting question is whether Italy's attacking patterns hold up against a France side that has shown it can score quickly and come back from behind. For France, the defensive selection is the story. If the younger defenders hold firm against a team that likes to attack, that's a useful sign for Zidane's squad depth beyond this window. Either way, this match will tell us more about both teams than a friendly could, and it's the kind of result that will shape the next stage of the competition.