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.
Result France 1 – 1 Italy, Friday, 2 October 2026, UEFA Nations League Group A Matchday 3
65% Ball Possession FRANCE and 35% Ball Possession ITALY France 1 – 1 Italy
55′ Michael Olise 68′ Alessandro Bastoni
🟥 85′ Dayot Upamecano
🏆👉 What an amazing match! France and Italy finished in a 1-1 tie on Friday, October 2, 2026, during UEFA Nations League Matchday 3 at the legendary Stade de France in Saint-Denis. Michaeil Olise netted one for France while Alessandro Bastoni scored the equalizer for Italy. The Azzurri sit on 4 points, trailing both France and Belgium, but ahead of Turkey.
France was reduced to ten players following Upamecano’s red card at the 85th minute for a challenge on Moise Kean. A standout moment came with AC Milan’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan with France. Como’s skipper Lucas Da Cunha also featured for France.
Roberto Mancini’s Italian squad will take the field again on Monday, October 5, at the Renato Dall’Ara stadium in Bologna, facing off against Montella’s Turkey in a Nations League fourth matchday clash—the final fixture of this international window.
How hey come to this game.
France comes into this matchup leading Group A1 after collecting 6 points across their opening two games, while Italy finds themselves in third spot with just 3 points on the board. The victory for Italy will help them reach 6 points same as France. The encounter promises to be a thrilling clash, especially with Zinedine Zidane taking charge of his inaugural home fixture for France at the iconic Stade de France.
French Serie A Players on the National Team:
Mike Maignan – AC Milan – Goalkeeper
Pierre Kalulu – Juventus – Defender
Adrien Rabiot – AC Milan – Midfielder
Lucas Da Cunha – Como – Midfielder
Manu Koné – AS Roma – (Reserve)
Andy Diouf – Inter – Available
According to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), the broadcast on Rai 1 achieved a 40.8% audience share and was the top-rated show during prime time. The game drew an impressive 7,848,000 viewers as they tuned in to watch the Azzurri stage a comeback
Michael Olise netted a stunning free-kick goal in the 55th minute for France, sending a left-footed strike into the top right corner past Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
👉 🇫🇷 France 1 – 1 Italy 🇮🇹
Alessandro Bastoni found the back of the net in the 68th minute, leveling things up for @Azzurri_En with a skillful left-footed strike from well outside the penalty area, sending the ball into the bottom right corner.
There you go, Alessandro Bastoni, scream about that amazing goal!!!!!!
France was left with 10 players on the field. In the 85th minute, Upamecano picked up a second yellow card and was sent off by the referee for a foul on Moise Kean.
✅ Stats BEFORE the Game
France and Italy are facing off for the 42nd time. Additionally, Italy has secured 19 victories against France (10 draws, 12 losses), and only against Switzerland (29) have the Azzurri achieved more wins.
Stats Favoring France. Italy has won just two of their last 15 matches against France (4 draws, 9 losses); to be more specific, the Azzurri have lost four of their five most recent games against les Bleus (1 win). Will Italy change this trend and grab an away victory?
None of the last six clashes between France and Italy ended in a draw (two wins for the Azzurri and four for les Bleus), whereas four of the previous six matches between these two nations finished level (with two French victories rounding out the record).
Italy won their last away trip to France (3-1 on September 6, 2024 in the UEFA Nations League in Paris); only once have the Azzurri managed back-to-back away victories against les Bleus: between 1948 and 1954 (both friendly matches in that case).
The Stade de France is all set for the exciting UEFA Nations League Matchday 3 showdown between France and Italy.
Credit via x.com/Azzurri_En
Italy’s dressing room is all set for their showdown with France…. Michael Kayode and Sandro Tonali’s jerseys are ready to go… Let’s go Italy!
Italy’s official starting lineup against France
Come on, let’s sing the Italian anthem at the top of our lungs with genuine pride!
🎵 🎵 Fratelli d’Italia,
L’Italia s’è desta;
Dell’elmo di Scipio
S’è cinta la testa.
Dov’è la Vittoria?
Le porga la chioma;
Ché schiava di Roma
Iddio la creò.
Chorus:
🎵🎵 Stringiamci a coorte!
Siam pronti alla morte.
Siam pronti alla morte,
L’Italia chiamò.
Stringiamci a coorte!
Siam pronti alla morte.
Siam pronti alla morte,
L’Italia chiamò. Sì!
UEFA Nations League
Group A Matchday 3
🇫🇷 France 1 – 1 Italy 🇮🇹
Friday, 2 October 2026
Stade de France
Saint-Denis, France
Today’s Front Pages Friday 2 October 2026: La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, and Tutto Sport
Today’s Front Pages 10/02/2026 – Sports Headlines Newspapers in Italy – Prime Pagine Quotidiani
✅ Greetings, my friends! I present to you the latest front pages from the Italian newspapers La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, and Tutto Sport, dated Friday 2 October 2026.
Today’s Front Page La Gazzetta dello Sport, Friday 2 October 2026
✅ Many events in Trento until Sunday
The Festival of the Invincibles
Cairo launches the stars and remembers the Grande Torino
Velasco: “Brignone, talk to my girls.”
✅ New Italy under scrutiny by France
Zizou, you again
Nations League
France-Italy 8:45 PM
The national team reunites with Zidane 20 years after his headbutt.
Mancini: “They’re better, but we’re in the game.”
✅ President Malago’s ineligibility
Vote on Tuesday
The Board convened on the future of the FIGC.
The battle of opinions.
✅ Juventus CEO
Carnevali
“We miss Yildiz, but Juve will fly
Palmisani is a good idea.”
Today’s Front Page Corriere dello Sport, Friday 2 October 2026
✅ The Azzurri are in Paris against France to continue their growth. (20:45)
Tonight’s Nations League
Head-to-head
Mancio, three changes from the Turkey match.
Zizou without Mbappé
Mancini replaces Scalvini and Calafiori for Ruggeri. Kean in the attacking trident with Pio and Seba Esposito.
The coach: “They’re very strong, but anything can happen.”
✅ Napoli news
Allegri is testing a three-man defense with Beukema’s relaunch.
Max has decided
Today’s joint test with Avellino at Castel Volturno: the Dutchman is close to making his debut on the center-right.
DeLa: “Intervals in matches should be eliminated.”
✅ Inter’s jewel
Chivu pushes, Jones accelerates
Curtis stayed at Pinetina to train: he wants to redeem himself after a lackluster start.
Carnevali’s Wish
“Juve, I’d like to have more Italians.”
The Bianconeri CEO: “Just finishing fourth isn’t enough for us. A tough transfer window; winning takes time.”
✅ His message to Amorim
Pulisic: “Ready to play always.”
The American striker: “I feel good after the injury, I hope to get more playing time.”
✅ The Milan investigation
Rocchi is now truly over.
Yesterday, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office also ordered the dismissal
(with Taucer’s approval) of the former referee’s designator.
✅ Malago’, Abodi, and football without peace
Suspended in the vote
CONI Board
The future of the FIGC will be decided on Tuesday.
✅ 1-0 victory in Armenia
Cisse’ in the 95th minute
The Under are in the running
Koleosho misses a penalty; the AC Milan striker brings us back to within 3 of Poland: the direct match is on Monday in Pescara.
Today’s Front Page Tutto Sport, Friday 2 October 2026
✅ Zidane ignites the Paris match,
recalling with Mancini the historic headbutt with Matterazzi
Zizou: I have no regrets.
Now he’s leading the Bleus phenomenon: “That episode gave me extra motivation to become coach. I’m not proud of it, though… I never spoke to Marco. At Juve, I became an important player.”
Mancini tries to isolate the national team from the poisons of sport and politics: “We’ll play to win.” Cisse’ Under’s coup in Armenia in the 95th minute.
✅ Spalletti is also eyeing Licina
Juve (12:30) find a rival in the attacking midfielder, who was loaned to Cremonese and is a star in Serie B. Tests for Kelly and Cambiaso, but above all for the young players and reserves. Neto makes his debut.
✅ Selvaggi and the Granata today: how sad
“Toro, you can’t just get by.”
Spadino, severe: “We’re just scraping by, and today it’s the same story. A club this glorious has never been seen in Europe: it doesn’t exist. And at least one real number 10…”
✅ Archived
For Chine’
Arbitropoli never existed.
✅ Serie B / The Interview
Karamoh
“Come on Sampdoria, let’s try again together.”
=============== Italian Serie A Tickets for the next 10 games
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Alberto Gilardino fourth training session with Parma on Thursday, October 1, 2026
Alberto Gilardino conducted his fourth training session with Parma on Thursday, October 1, 2026, just days after officially taking on the head coach role on Tuesday, September 29.
Parma is gearing up for their Serie A Week 6 matchup against Inter at the San Siro Stadium on Saturday, October 10, 2026, with the match kicking off at 18:00 CEST.
With the international break in effect, several international players were unavailable. Gilardino took advantage of the October 1 session to deepen his understanding of the squad at his disposal, placing particular emphasis on tactical communication, possession control, and attacking play through the middle.
By Anna Italia
