Pio Esposito impressed Upamecano ahead of Italy vs. France
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 2: Pio Esposito of Italy challenges for the ball with Dayot Upamecano of France during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between France and Italy at Stade de France on October 2, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pauline Figuet/Getty Images)
France international Dayot Upamecano is impressed by Italy striker Francesco Pio Esposito, noting it is ‘not easy to mark him,’ but won’t change his style for this Nations League clash.
It kicks off at San Siro on Thursday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).
This is the penultimate round of the group stage, with France leading on 10 points, followed by Italy with seven and Belgium on six.
In Matchday 6, France will host rock bottom Turkiye, while it is a head-to-head between the Azzurri and Red Devils in Brussels on Sunday.
“Italy are a very good team, they changed coach and have players at top clubs,” said Upamecano in his press conference.
“Our concentration is always the same, we are focused entirely on doing well for France. There is no reason to change our style of play, we want to replicate what we do in training, and hope to do so tomorrow.”
France have dropped points only once in this Nations League campaign, in the 1-1 draw with Italy in Paris on October 2.
Inter striker Pio Esposito started that match and he is expected to lead the attack again tomorrow evening.
“Esposito is a very good player, very physical, we saw in the first match it was not easy to mark him. I would prefer not to concentrate on a single player, though, because we are taking on the whole Italy team,” noted Upamecano.
It was not an easy match for Upamecano, who was sent off for a second bookable offence against Italy.
“France try to keep a high defensive line, to press and recover the ball quickly. I like this style of play, and we’ll try to keep that going tomorrow against Italy.”
Like the first leg in Paris, France are again without injured Kylian Mbappé, while Marcus Thuram, Esteban Lepaul, Ousmane Dembélé, Aurelien Tchouameni, Manu Koné and Pierre Kalulu are also among those who withdrew from the squad.
“It’s true, we are missing a lot of players and I wish them all a speedy recovery, but we are still ready to face Italy, that goes for all those who start and can come off the bench.”
Jeremy Jacquet has been tipped to step into the defence with Upamecano in a reshuffle tomorrow.
“I don’t know, you’d have to ask Zidane. He is a young lad, very motivated, and we hope he can keep going like this.”
The Bayern Munich full-back was asked if he would like to play in the Premier League in future.
“I’ve lived in Germany for a while and I am happy there. We’ll see what happens in future, but I am happy at Bayern Munich,” he replied.
“I am always ready to improve, try to listen to the advice I receive, and give my all. I think there’s a lot that I can do better.”
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