Roberto Mancini, Italy's head coach, said ahead of the match against France in week five of the UEFA Nations League: "We are looking to confirm our good performance and improve even more. "Considering the fact that we have seven points and two games left, we still have a chance to advance to the quarter-finals of the Nations League."
He said: "At the beginning of the competition, it was unlikely that we would still have a chance to advance until the last day of the group stage, but now we are in such a position."
The French team will travel to Italy with a number of absentees and Kylian Mbappe may not be there due to a muscle problem.
Mancini also joked about France's injured: "If Ulysses also gets cold, it will be very good for us. I also tell Mbappe not to take risks and take care of himself in Real Madrid games! ".
He then continued: “Aside jokes, France are strong enough to replace their missing players with quality players. I don't know which situation is better for us and I don't really care. I prefer to focus on the progress of my team."