Adrien Rabiot expressed his satisfaction with France’s 3-1 victory over Italy in the Nations League, which secured their top position in Group A2. The French midfielder, who scored twice in the match, praised the team's unity and resilience as they bounced back from a frustrating goalless draw against Israel. Rabiot’s goals came from pinpoint crosses by Lucas Digne, with his second goal extending France’s lead to two, ensuring the crucial victory.
This win was especially significant as it avenged France’s earlier 3-1 loss to Italy in their previous encounter at home. Rabiot acknowledged that the defeat was still on their minds as they prepared for the return fixture at San Siro. "It’s been a long time since we've played a match like this," Rabiot said to TF1 after the game. "We also had the objective of winning by a two-goal margin, and we achieved that." He emphasized the team’s collective spirit and determination, which were key to overcoming the challenges posed by Italy.
Lucas Digne also played a pivotal role in France’s success. The full-back registered two assists for Rabiot’s goals and played a part in a third, contributing to France’s first three goals from set-pieces in a match since 1991, a feat that recalled their dominant performance against Albania. Digne’s free-kick hit the crossbar before deflecting off Italy’s goalkeeper, Guglielmo Vicario, into the net, adding to the team's offensive display.
The left-back highlighted the importance of set-piece practice in training, saying, “The more you do it, the more automatic it becomes.” While pleased with the attacking performance, Digne admitted he would have liked to keep a clean sheet as a defender, but he was nonetheless satisfied with the result and the achievement of finishing first in their group.
The victory marked a turning point for the French team as they look ahead to the Nations League quarter-finals in March. The win helped lift their spirits after a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, where they struggled with scoring and consistency. With this important victory under their belt, the French squad is now focused on advancing further in the Nations League and proving their worth on the international stage. Their performance against Italy showcased their ability to bounce back from adversity and maintain their position as one of Europe's top footballing nations.
