Alessandro Bastoni admits he “did not expect to score two goals” in two Nations League matches, but stresses that “if Italy can play like this against France in Paris, it can do so against anyone.”

The Inter defender had not played for the national team since that disastrous red card in the World Cup playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which saw the Azzurri miss qualification for the third consecutive edition of the tournament.

His return has been remarkable: first the goal in the 4-1 away win against Turkey, then the one he scored tonight to make it 1-1 against France in Paris.

“It was a difficult match, we knew it would be, that’s certainly nothing new, but I am truly happy with the team’s performance,” Bastoni told RAI Sport.

“We fought hard, we suffered and we also ruined some of France’s plans for tonight, since they were ready for a big celebration. We knew we hadn’t come here for a stroll, and that’s exactly how it was.”

Bastoni was certainly not the player Italy expected goals from, yet he is currently the Azzurri’s top scorer in Roberto Mancini’s second spell in charge.

“It is definitely satisfying to score again, but at the moment I did, I thought we had to make sure we didn’t concede another goal, otherwise we would have lost everything. This is a good result that increases our confidence for the future,” Bastoni explained.

In recent months it was not only the red card that affected him, but also an off-field scandal that had led some to call for his departure from Serie A.

“I didn’t expect to score two goals, but I never lost confidence in myself. I will not let one or two situations ruin a career of over 300 matches. I thank my family for being by my side and I hope that having kept my head high is seen as something positive,” added the defender.

France has not kept a clean sheet against Italy since the 0-0 in September 2007, having conceded 10 goals in the last seven meetings.

After Dayot Upamecano’s sending off in the final minutes, Italy pushed in search of a possible winning goal.

“We believed in our chances of winning from the start and, in fact, we had the best opportunities in the first half to break the deadlock. It is an important sign, because if we can put in a performance like that against France in Paris, then we can do it against anyone,” Bastoni concluded.

“Now there is another match in this series and we take nothing for granted, it will be another important test.”

Italy earned a 1-1 draw on the road against France in the Nations League, as Alessandro Bastoni wiped out Michael Olise’s opener in Paris. France ended the game with ten men following Dayot Upamecano’s dismissal.

The Azzurri made two alterations from the lineup that defeated Türkiye 4-1, with Riccardo Calafiori coming back in at left-back and Moise Kean taking the place of the injured Giacomo Raspadori. Michael Kayode also retained his spot after a standout debut that featured a goal, while Nicolò Barella surprisingly started on the bench.

France 1-1 Italy in an entertaining first half

Italy carved out the first big chance after eight minutes when Kayode delivered a low cross from the right. Kean had an opportunity to score from close range at the back post, but his mishit attempt allowed Mike Maignan to save.

France went close when a Désiré Doué cross deflected off Sandro Tonali and hit the top of the crossbar. At the other end, Sebastiano Esposito failed to connect cleanly with a promising volley.

Ousmane Dembélé tested Gianluigi Donnarumma, though he was ultimately flagged offside. Italy then created two notable chances in the 42nd minute. Pio Esposito headed down a long Kayode throw-in for Davide Frattesi, whose shot was deflected just wide. From the ensuing corner, Kean found the net but was ruled offside.

Nations League pressure after the break

France maintained their attacking pressure after the interval, but Donnarumma produced a superb double save. He first denied a curling attempt from Doué before reacting swiftly to stop Dembélé from close range. The Italy goalkeeper then saved another Olise effort moments later.

France finally broke the deadlock when a Rayan Cherki free-kick from just outside the box was flicked on for Olise. His powerful strike deflected off the wall before bouncing into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

Italy responded by bringing on Napoli winger Antonio Vergara for his debut and shifting Kean into a centre-forward role. The change quickly paid off as a Vergara counterattack was blocked, while Da Cunha was dispossessed by Bastoni, who had surged forward from defence. The defender then fired into the net from the edge of the area.

Bastoni’s equaliser was the first goal conceded by Zidane’s France and meant the French side had still not kept a clean sheet against Italy since their 0-0 draw in September 2007.

Bastoni and Donnarumma preserve Italy’s draw

Donnarumma remained central to Italy’s resistance, getting down to make a decisive fingertip save from Adrien Rabiot and push the angled effort around the far post. France also appealed for a penalty after an accidental coming together between Doué and Barella, but the claims were rejected.

Italy came close to completing the comeback when Vergara floated a cross towards the back post for Kean. His looping header was tipped onto the top of the crossbar by Maignan, while Donnarumma later made another impressive save to palm away an Eduard Camavinga strike.

France were reduced to 10 men when Upamecano received a second yellow card. The defender was first booked for arguing with Kean before receiving another yellow for wrestling the striker to the ground.

Barella then failed to make clean contact with a deflected Vergara pull-back from 10 yards, sending the ball over the crossbar. In stoppage time, Donnarumma denied another Camavinga effort before Bastoni made a crucial sliding challenge on Olise, with France’s penalty appeals again rejected.