Roberto Mancini admits few expected Italy to challenge France for top spot in the Nations League group tomorrow, but they hope to ‘give the fans something to cheer’ and break their San Siro hoodoo.

It kicks off at San Siro on Thursday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

Italy are currently second in the Nations League Group 1 on seven points, as France are on top with 10, while Belgium follow behind on six.

The final matches will see the Azzurri travel to Belgium, while France take on rock bottom Turkiye.

Mancini ambition for Italy

“We are certainly seeking to confirm and improve the previous performances, and seeing as we have seven points and two games left to play, we can qualify too,” said Mancini in his press conference.

“This seems to be a positive and, considering how things started, a little unexpected.”

Mancini’s return to the bench had been a disastrous 2-0 home defeat to Belgium, prompting fears of relegation into Nations League B, but now they are on the cusp of reaching the quarter-finals.

“We had a good game in France, including in those moments when we had to defend, because they are a great team. There were areas where we can improve and we hope to do that tomorrow in order to win the match.”

That 1-1 draw in Paris boosted confidence considerably in the Nations League, and is the only time Zinedine Zidane’s France dropped points.

“It was a difficult match in certain moments, France kept us pinned back and in the second half Gigio rescued us, but tomorrow’s game will be different. We will try to win against one of the best sides in the world.

“Zidane has won almost every match, he knows the players very well, won so much at Real Madrid as a coach too, and I think he will have a great coaching career at international level.”

Playing at San Siro has its own benefits and problems, because Gianluigi Donnarumma has never been able to play here without being jeered ever since walking away from Milan as a free agent, even now he has gone from Paris Saint-Germain to Manchester City.

“Gigio is a great goalkeeper, as well as an extraordinary young man. Aside from what happened years ago, I don’t think he deserves to be jeered. One would hope fans go to the stadium to cheer on the team, and in turn we hope to give them something to cheer about,” noted Mancini.

San Siro is also not a great omen for the Nazionale, who lost their last three matches played here.

“But I won my most recent one here, and it was by no means easy either, against England.”

It is also the home stadium for Inter midfielder Nicolò Barella and Milan forward Alphadjo Cisse, the latter potentially getting his senior Italy debut.

“I am not affected by the fact we are at San Siro, so my decisions will be made regardless of the stadium setting. They are two players coming off good performances, so that is positive for everyone.”

Inter famously play a 3-5-2 formation, so Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Dimarco must adjust for Mancini’s 4-3-3.

“They also played in a four-man defence, it doesn’t take many training sessions to get them at ease there.”

There are reports France could be without Kylian Mbappé due to a hamstring issue that saw him miss training today, while they are already missing Marcus Thuram, Pierre Kalulu, Aurelien Tchaouameni, Manu Koné, William Saliba, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, Ousmane Dembélé, Maghnes Akliouche and Esteban Lepaul.

“If Michael Olise were to come down with a cold, I wouldn’t mind,” smiled Mancini.

“Plus Mbappé has the Champions League coming up, so I wouldn’t risk him, it’s best if he rests tomorrow…

“All joking aside, it’s good to play against such strong opponents, that is the joy of football. We must give our best, try to win and improve on what we have done so far.

“France have so many good strikers, it’s honestly hard to choose between them.”

Italy have also been forced into changes, as Gianluca Mancini was injured and Nicolò Zaniolo withdrew over a personal matter.

“We have wingers at the moment who are very young and without much experience, but these games are where they can gain some of that, then hopefully in the next six months everyone will have grown and improved.

“We have to call young players so that we can see and get to know them directly, both for the present and with an eye to the future,” explained the coach.

“Everyone wanted young players, and I agreed it seemed right and logical. People complain they never get to play, so we tried to call them up and get to know them. It can make a big difference for a young player to train alongside those with more experience and at a higher level.”