Bonucci: ‘Italy want to attack France wings’ with surprising formation

PARMA, ITALY - AUGUST 22: (L-R) Leonardo Bonucci and Roberto Mancini attend the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on August 22, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Luca Amedeo Bizzarri/Getty Images)

Leonardo Bonucci explains Italy’s forward-thinking formation against France in the Nations League, with quite a few surprises. ‘We want to attack their wings.’

It kicks off at the Stade de France in Paris at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from the Nations League on the Liveblog.

The Azzurri have had two completely different performances so far under the returning coach, as the 2-0 home defeat to Belgium was followed by a 4-1 victory away to Turkiye.

Now they face the toughest test of this Nations League group by visiting Zinedine Zidane’s men in Paris, a side fresh off back-to-back 1-0 away wins.

Bonucci explains Italy changes

“We wanted to attack their wings, so that is why the coach opted for this formation,” assistant manager Bonucci told RAI Sport.

There are some real surprises here, as while Moise Kean has recovered from a knock and Riccardo Calafiori returns at left-back, the midfield is completely unchanged, leaving Nicolò Barella on the bench.

“Our philosophy must always be the same. We’ve known the coach for years, he prefers possession, at times we will have to defend in a low block, but we will always have the opportunity to attack,” added Bonucci.

“We saw excessive criticism for the performance against Belgium and excessive excitement after Turkiye, so it’s about finding the right balance.”

Dealing with the France attack of Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Desiré Doué won’t be easy, even with Kylian Mbappé out injured.

Serie A representatives in the starting XI are Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot of Milan, Juventus full-back Pierre Kalulu, and Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha.

“We need to work as a team, the midfielders must help out the defenders, we require great concentration, as we are up against players who can change a game in a fraction of a second.”

Giacomo Raspadori had started in Bursa, but withdrew due to a muscular injury, while Honest Ahanor was released to join the Under-21 team.

Left behind at the Coverciano training camp ahead of the final game in this break are Samuele Inacio, Alessandro Romano, Nicolò Cambiaghi, Diego Coppola, Daniele Ghilardi, Eddy Kouadio, Rolando Mandragora and Massimo Pessina.