The two European giants will clash this Wednesday in a much anticipated friendly, with both sides looking for a positive result ahead of their respective World Cup qualifiers
Although both teams are without few key players, a mouth watering encounter is expected at Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma.
France coach, Didier Deschamps would be looking for a positive result on the Italian soil this time around, and he knows the importance of this game as it will help Les Bleus in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Italy have always performed well against
France and coach, Cesare Prandelli would be expecting nothing but a win at home.
It’s a friendly match but neither side is taking it just as a friendly game and given the rivalry between the two sides, expect a fierce encounter on Wednesday.
Team News
Italy
Coach, Cesare Prandelli has dropped http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pablo-Osvaldo-c28996 are out on the sidelines due to injury and their absence will be a huge blow for the
hosts.
Paris Saint-Germain duo, Marco Verratti and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Salvatore-Sirigu-c32282 have been included in the squad and are expected to be in the starting eleven.
France
Didier Deschamps is also without several first choice players for Wednesday’s clash. Both Gael Clichy and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Abou-Diaby-c3453. In addition to that, Real Madrid hitman, Karim Benzema hasn’t been included which means Arsenal’s
Olivier Giroud will be handed a rare opportunity to impress at this level.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Yohan-Cabaye-c37423 and Etienne Capoue expected to continue in the midfield.
Expected Line-ups
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Italy-c2926
Sirigu, Maggio, Barzagli, Chiellini, Balzaretti, Candreva, Verratti, Marchisio, Montolivo, Balotelli, El Shaarawy
France
Lloris, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Sakho, Evra, Cabaye, Capoue, Matuidi, Menez, Giroud, Ribery
Players to watch
Marco Verratti – Italy
The 20-year-old has earned his second international cap and coach, Cesare Prandelli has hinted that the youngster will start against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899. The midfielder has been in phenomenal form since joining Paris Saint-Germain in the summer and has put a number of
eye catching performances for the cash-laden club from Paris.
With no Danielle de Rossi in the side, Verratti is expected to play a massive role in the midfield and despite only 20, the player has all the attributes to survive at this level. Les Bleus need to keep a check on the youngster in order to get a positive
result from the match.
Olivier Giroud – France
Giroud has been in fine form recently and scored a brace for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Karim-Benzema-c20350, who is usually the preferred striker, the 26-year-old has a perfect opportunity to show the world what
he is capable of.
The Frenchman is very strong in the air and with Ribery and Menez on the flanks, Giroud is expected to get a good amount of chances against Italy.
Prediction
Both teams are without several key players but still they have the ability to produce an eye catching performance on the pitch. If we look at the players and their recent form, both teams look evenly matched and it is hard to predict a winner.
Since the match is being played in Italy, the hosts will have an edge over Didier Deschamps’ side but Les Bleus have enough experience to cope with that and it won’t be wrong to predict a draw between the two sides.
Final Predicted Score: Italy 2-2 France
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