Luciano Spalletti's Italy shone on their Nations League debut, beating France 3-1 at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

A victory achieved with a convincing performance, in a comeback, to erase a shocking start.

The home team took the lead after just 14 seconds, with Barcola , who clearly anticipated Di Lorenzo , flew towards the area and beat Donnarumma with his right foot.

Italy's response came in the 7th minute: a golden opportunity for Frattesi who headed the ball into the six-yard box, but it hit the crossbar of the French goal.

In the 25th minute the second Azzurri burst, with Retegui trying with his left foot, but without creating any particular problems for Maignan. But six minutes later the masterpiece equaliser arrives, all first-time: Dimarco calls Tonali for an exchange on the edge of the area, the former Milan player gives him the ball back with a backheel that goes over the French defence and the Inter winger, alone in front of Maignan, doesn't miss, scoring with a left-footed volley to make it 1-1 .

In the second half, Italy immediately put France on ice, after 5 minutes: excellent recovery by the Azzurri in midfield, ball to Retegui and perfect assist for the insertion of Frattesi , who beats Maignan and makes it 2-1 , overturning the match.

Riding the wave of enthusiasm, the Azzurri continued to attack and in the 59th minute came close to scoring the third, once again with Frattesi , who headed the ball in from two steps away following a corner, but Maignan blocked it with an extraordinary reflex .

But Italy is truly “on fire”, a distant relative of the disappointing one seen at the European Championships at the beginning of the summer. The third goal comes in the 74th minute: Udogie from the left looks for and finds Raspadori , who puts the turbo on and then beats Maignan for the third time.

France tries to react to seek a counter-revenge, but the Azzurri keep a good guard until the final whistle. And in the end, the applause is deserved.

(Unioneonline/lf)

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