As France prepares for a rematch with Italy at the San Siro in Milan on Sunday, defender Lucas Digne is determined to make up for their earlier defeat in the UEFA Nations League. The clash holds extra significance following Italy’s 3-1 comeback victory over the French in Paris back in September, which saw the Azzurri snatch an unexpected win in the opening round of Nations League A Group 2.
Heading into this weekend’s fixture, Italy sits at the top of the group with 13 points from five games, while France follows in second place, three points behind. Both teams have already secured qualification for next March's quarter-finals, but for Digne and his teammates, Sunday’s match represents an opportunity to put their September loss behind them.
“There’s definitely a sense of revenge within the group," Digne told reporters on Friday. "When you lose to a team, especially a team like Italy, you don’t want to lose twice. It’s a must-win for us, and I believe everyone is focused on that.”
Despite the desire for revenge, Digne was quick to acknowledge the strength of the Italian squad, led by manager Luciano Spalletti. “They have excellent cohesion, a very talented squad, and a top-class coach," he said. "Spalletti is a fantastic tactician, and I know him well from my time at Roma. We’ll need to be fully prepared, especially focusing on the little details that could make all the difference.”
For Digne, the match also marks a personal milestone: he is set to make his 50th appearance for France. However, despite his solid defensive record, the Aston Villa player has yet to score for his country. “I’m not bothered by the lack of goals," Digne said with a smile. "But yes, it wouldn’t hurt to get one. As for reaching 50 caps, it’s a significant achievement. It’s a lot of hard work to get to this point, and the more time passes, the more I realize how special it is. I’m very proud, but I still have work to do.”
With both teams already eyeing the knockout stages, this Sunday's encounter promises to be a thrilling contest, with France eager to exact revenge and Italy looking to cement their dominance at the top of the group.
