Kone: ‘An important match for Italy against France, a complicated period for them’

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 22: Manu Kone #6 of France arrives at the stadium before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between France and Iraq at Philadelphia Stadium on June 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Roma and France midfielder Manu Kone has revealed what has surprised him most after getting to work under Zinedine Zidane during the international break, and has warned that Friday night’s Nations League meeting will be an ‘important’ match for a ‘rebuilding’ Italy side. 

France will host Italy at the Stade de France in the third round of 2026-27 UEFA Nations League group stage fixtures on Friday evening, kicking off at 19.45 BST. 

The Italy clash will be Zidane’s first home match as head coach of the France national team, following 1-0 away victories against Turkiye and Belgium over the last week. 

Roberto Mancini, who is three matches into his second spell as Italy CT, lost 2-0 at home to Belgium in his first game back in charge, but bounced back with an encouraging 4-1 victory away against Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye on Monday evening. 

Kone speaks ahead of France vs. Italy: ‘They’re going through a complicated period, we’ll focus on ourselves’

Roma midfielder Kone was selected for pre-match media duties in the France camp on Wednesday afternoon and discussed the upcoming test and life under Zidane at a press conference at Clairefontaine. 

“I know it’s an important match for Italy because we’re a very strong nation in their eyes, we have a lot of good players,” Kone told reporters (via l’Equipe). 

“(Gianluca) Mancini and (Bryan) Cristante) tell me all the time in training that it’s going to be a massive game and that they’ve got a lot of room for improvement. 

“They’re rebuilding, going through a complicated period, but we will just focus on ourselves. We know that we are France, we have incredible players. We’re also keen to win in the coach’s first game at the Stade de France.”

Kone started in Zidane’s first match in charge, away against Turkiye on Friday, playing in a slightly deeper role in a midfield that contained Milan’s Adrien Rabiot and Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki.

“I tried to do what the coach asked of me,” said Kone. “For me, a midfielder should know how to play everywhere. I’ve already played in that position at my previous club, but also with Roma. It isn’t something that changes me too much, I enjoyed it.”

The Giallorossi midfielder had nothing but positive things to say about his first week working under the legendary Zidane.

“It’s nice to be coached by Zidane, a legend across the world. He manages us in a very personal, sincere way. He’s very close to the players and always talks to us on the sidelines or in the group. 

“He gives us the confidence to play freely. It’s a pleasure, it feels natural. On a personal level, he’s very genuine, he spoke to us all individually and he told me to play how I’m used to.”

Kone says that he and his teammates were amazed by the ability that Zidane still has on the training pitch. 

“What shocked me most was his technical ability in training. He hasn’t lost anything, and seeing him in real life is even better. Seeing that he’s still got that technique, I keep telling myself that it must have been incredible in his prime. 

“Personally, I listen to everything he tells me, all I can do is learn from him. He advises me a lot on positioning, on giving balance to the team. He gives me responsibilities and I have to be switched on.”

Kone also spoke about Como midfielder Luca Da Cunha, who earned his France debut in Monday’s 1-0 victory over Belgium.

“I’ve known Lucas since the France youth teams, we’ve had a lot of memories together and we laugh about those. 

“I’ve got to see him in Serie A where he’s playing with a very strong Como side. It’s great to see him at this level and to see him playing in the middle today, when he used to be a winger. It’s healthy competition.”