Italy beat 10-year statistic in first-half performance in 1-1 draw away against France
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 02: Michael Kayode of Italy crosses the ball whilst under pressure from Adrien Rabiot of France during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between France and Italy at Stade de France on October 02, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pauline Figuet/Getty Images)
Italy picked up an encouraging 1-1 draw away against France on Friday evening, and in doing so, had more first-half shots against Les Bleues on their home patch than any national team since the semi-finals of EURO 2016.
No side has had more first-half shots away against France than Italy over the last 10 years
Roberto Mancini’s second spell in charge of the Azzurri has started with a 2-0 defeat at home against Belgium, but he has since bounced back with two impressive away results against Turkey (1-4) and France (1-1) this week.
Given Italy’s recent failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and France’s status as semi-finalists in 2026, finalists in 2022 and winners in 2018, a draw at the Stade de France was seen as a positive outcome by many across the peninsula, even if Mancini seemed disappointed to have to settle for a point at full-time.
Even if reports in France claim that the home side dominated and that the visitors were fortunate to have a goalkeeper as strong as Gianluigi Donnarumma, there is an encouraging first-half statistic that shows Italy did try to take the game to Zinedine Zidane’s side.
Italy ended the first 45 minutes in Paris with eight shots attempted, which is more than any other nation playing away against France since the semi-final of EURO 2016: Germany registered 11 on their way to a 2-0 defeat in Marseille that evening.
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