Player ratings: Italy 1-3 France: Vicario costly from set-pieces, no Retegui impact | OneFootball

Italy were beaten by France by a scoreline of 3-1 in San Siro in the final match of the Nations League group stages, which cost Luciano Spalletti and his team top spot in Group A2.

France had their revenge following their 3-1 loss to Italy in Paris in September. Adrien Rabiot powered in a header after two minutes, Lucas Digne’s free-kick went down as an own goal after hitting Guglielmo Vicario on the rebound off the post, before Andrea Cambiaso got the hosts back into it 90 seconds later.

Rabiot then got his second goal of the night from another set piece midway through the second half.

Here are the player ratings from an underwhelming evening for Italy in Milan.

Italy

Vicario 4 – Another issue caused by a corner after two minutes for the Tottenham goalkeeper. Then an own-goal after a sweetly-struck Lucas Digne free-kick hit him on the rebound. Though it was always destined for the net, the Italy ‘keeper was a little across his line.

Lucas Digne of France takes a free-kick which deflects off of Guglielmo Vicario to score the team’s second goal during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between Italy and France at San Siro on November 17, 2024. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Di Lorenzo 6 – How things have turned around for him since the last time Italy played France. At fault for the French opener last time and at risk of losing his international status, now an undisputed mainstay in the back three and another solid enough display on Sunday night despite the scoreline.

Buongiorno 5 – As the defensive-most centre-back in the three, he could have helped organise the team slightly better at set-pieces and also lost track of Adrien Rabiot in the area for France’s early opener.

Bastoni 5.5 – Did well in most of his battles with Randal Kolo Muani and also did the Riccardo Calafiori job of carrying it out from the back on occasion, but he will not be pleased after conceding from three set pieces in his home stadium.

Cambiaso 6.5 – Timed his run well to get on the end of Dimarco’s cross to claim the second goal of his international career.

Frattesi 5 – Took a bit of a knock in the first half and perhaps that was part of the reason why he looked a tad slower tonight compared to some of his other excellent performances under Luciano Spalletti.

Locatelli 5.5 – Could have made life more difficult for Rabiot when he got his second header of the evening from quite a long way out.

Tonali 6 – Showed a bit of heart after Italy went two goals down, threw in some strong tackles and looked to spring counter attacks while France were on top, but not the most productive evening in terms of chances created.

Dimarco 6.5 – Even on a poor night for Italy, he was able to show his attacking quality by providing the assist from the byline for Cambiaso. Not the best Italy performance on the whole, but Dimarco still looked to threaten when he got the ball on the left flank.

Barella 6.5 – Wearing the armband in the absence of Donnarumma and in the trequartista role again. Looked bright in the opposition half in the first 45, even if France were able to overpower him from time to time. Quieter in the second, as were Italy as a collective.

Nicolo Barella runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Manu Kone of France during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between Italy and France at San Siro on November 17.Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Retegui 4 – Barely got a sniff in either half before his substitution and has now gone two games in a row where he has struggled to make an impact leading the line for Italy, despite his impressive form at club level with Atalanta. Just 14 touches in all, with no shots and no completed dribbles.

Maignan 6; Koundé 6, Konaté 6.5, Saliba 6.5, Digne 9; Guendouzi 6.5, Koné 7, Rabiot 8; Nkunku 6, Kolo Muani 6, Thuram 6.5.