Italy win shows ´true face of the France team´, says Rabiot

Adrien Rabiot believes Sunday’s win over Italy showed “the true face of the France team” as they secured top spot in Nations League Group A2.

The midfielder headed home twice in their 3-1 victory, meeting excellent deliveries from Lucas Digne on both, with his second goal restoring the all-important two-goal cushion that ensured they finished above the Azzurri in the group.

This comes after France had failed to find a way past Israel in a frustrating 0-0 draw last time out.

However, Sunday’s victory ensured France will be seeded in the quarter-finals draw as they seem to have put their disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, in which they won just twice as they struggled in front of goal, behind them.

Les Bleus also avenged the 3-1 defeat to Italy on home soil in the reverse fixture, something Rabiot said was playing on their minds while they prepared for their trip to San Siro.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve played a match like this, that we haven’t fought in this way all together, until the end,” he told TF1.

“We also had the objective of winning with a two-goal difference, we did it. But frankly, the mutual aid that there was in this match, the combativeness, the team spirit, it’s to be highlighted. Frankly, we enjoyed playing this match.

“It was a different context [Thursday]. Above all, there was a revenge to be taken compared to the previous match against Italy, who had come to win at home. It’s a great evening. I hope we will continue to show this face. It’s the true face of the France team.”