By Anna Italia
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Italian Soccer Serie A supports the Italian team
55% Ball Possession ITALY and 45% Ball Possession FRANCE
Italy 1 – 3 France 
21′ Graziano Pellé 17′ Anthony Martial
. 28′ Olivier Giroud
. 81′ Layvin Kurzawa
Tough debut for Italy Head Coach Gian Piero Ventura starting his era with a defeat. The Italian National Team losing the friendly game against France at the San Nicola Stadium in Bari. Ventura replaced former coach Antonio Conte. Italy preparing for the 2018 World Cup Qualification against Israel on September 5, 2016 in Haifa.
Stats: FIFA Coca Cola World Ranking
Italy, 10th position with 1155 points
France, 7th position with 1189 points
France opening the score in he 17th minute. It is forward Anthony Martial to defeat Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon with a right footed shot in the bottom right corner. The assist is by the ex Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.
Italy equalizing the score with a great goal. In the 21st minute, a long range assist by forward Citadin Eder following a fast break. The ball reaching forward Graziano Pellè having enough time to turn to deliver a left footed shot defeating France goalkeeper Mandanda in the bottom right corner.
France taking back the lead in the 28th minute following a corner conceded by Italy midfielder Antonio Candreva. It’s Olivier Giroud to score with a left footed shot in the bottom right corner. The assist is by Layvin Kurzawa.
Italy Coach Ventura starting the second half with 3 substitutions in the 45th minute. It’s time to test new players and young AC Milan goalkeeper, 17th years old, Gianluigi Donnarumma making his debut with the nazionale.
- Daniele Rugani replacing midfielder Daniele De Rossi
- Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma replacing goalkeeper Gianluigi Bufon
- Midfielder Riccardo Montolivo replacing Andrea Barzagli.
France starting the second half with two substitutions in the 45th minute.
- André-Pierre Gignac replacing Olivier Giroud.
- Dimitri Payet replacing Anthony Martial
Italy closer to the goal in the 54th minute.. yet, failing the chance. Midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura miss his right footed shot to the left. Fans at the San Nicola encouraging the squad.
- Italy with another substitution in the 58th minute, Alessandro Florenzi replacing Mattia De Sciglio.
In the 59th minute, the AC Milan combo Montolivo – Bonaventura creating a goal opportunity. Riccardo Montolivo frustrated seeing his right footed shot saved in the bottom left corner. The assist is by midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura.
France making two substitutions in the 63rd minute.
- Moussa Sissoko replacing Blaise Matuidi
- Ousmane Dembélé replacing Antoine Griezmann.
Italy with a substitution in the 66th minute.
- Marco Verratti replacing Giacomo Bonaventura.
Italy with a substitution in the 75th minute.
- Andrea Belotti replacing forward Citadin Éder.
Final blow. France overpowering the Azzurri. In the 81st minute, it is Layvin Kurzawa to score defeating Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with a left footed shot in the bottom right corner. The assist again is by Paul Pogba. Surely, a good match for the ex Juventus player being decisive with France.
France with a substitution in the 83rd minute.
- Samuel Umtiti replacing Laurent Koscielny.
France making a final change in the 92nd minute.
- Lucas Digne replacing Layvin Kurzawa.
Here is ITALY official starting lineup by Head Coach Gian Piero Ventura:
ITALY(3-5-2): Buffon, Barzagli, Astori, Chiellini, Candreva, Parolo, De Rossi, Bonaventura, De Sciglio, Pellè, Eder.
Here is FRANCE official starting lineups by Head Coach Didier Deschamps:
FRANCE (4-2-3-1): Mandanda, Sidibe, Varane, Koscielny, Kurzawa, Pogba, Matuidi, Payet, Griezmann, Martial, Giroud.
Italy National Team Tickets and International friendly games
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Here are the last 3 games of ITALY: 1 win, 2 lost
| 02/07/16 | EC | Germany – Italy | 7:6 (AP) | Q |
| 27/06/16 | EC | Italy – Spain | 2:0 | 1/8 |
| 22/06/16 | ECGE | Italy – Ireland | 0:1 | 3 |
Here are the last 3 games of FRANCE: 2 wins, 1 lost
| 10/07/16 | EC | Portugal – France | 1:0 (OT) | F |
| 07/07/16 | EC | Germany – France | 0:2 | S |
| 03/07/16 | EC | France – Iceland | 5:2 | Q |
Photos of the match Italy vs France courtesy by facebook.com/NazionaleCalcio
Italy National Team dressing room before the match against France
Photo: facebook.com/NazionaleCalcio
Italy official starting lineup against France
International Friendly
Italy 1 – 3 France
Thursday 1 September 2016
San Nicola Stadium
Bari, Italy
20:45
Referee: Björn Kuipers (NED)
Goals: 17′ Anthony Martial (F), 21′ Graziano Pellé (I), 28′ Olivier Giroud (F), 81′ Kurzawa (F)
Official lineups – formations:
ITALY (3-5-2): Buffon, Barzagli, Astori, Chiellini, Candreva, Parolo, De Rossi, Bonaventura, De Sciglio, Pellè, Eder.
Coach: Gian Piero Ventura.
FRANCE (4-2-3-1): Mandanda, Sidibe, Varane, Koscielny, Kurzawa, Pogba, Matuidi, Payet, Griezmann, Martial, Giroud.
Coach: Deschamps.
Referee: Kuipers (NED).
