Paris, France – Oct 2: Rayan Cherki and teammate Adrien Rabiot pose before the Nations League group match between France and Italy at Stade de France. (Photo by Pauline Figuet/Getty Images)
Midfielder Adrien Rabiot makes history tonight, donning France’s captain’s armband for the first time against Italy in the Nations League.
The match starts at San Siro in Milan at 19:45 GMT (20:45 CET).
Follow the build‑up and live action on our Liveblog.
This fixture decides Group A1’s leader: Les Bleus sit on 10 points, Italy on seven, while Belgium moved to nine after their early win over Turkey 2‑1.
The top two advance to the Nations League quarter‑finals, so everything is at stake before Italy’s final trip to Brussels on Sunday. For my money, France’s path to the last eight looks clear.
Rabiot becomes France’s new captain.
France is grappling with an injury crisis, pushing the captaincy down the pecking order.
Kylian Mbappé would normally wear the armband, but he’s sidelined, as are vice‑captains Ousmane Dembélé and Jules Koundé.
Thus Rabiot steps up as France’s captain for the first time, doing so at his home ground, San Siro, where he stars for Milan.
He isn’t alone; Milan’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan also starts, partnered with Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha.
Inter winger Andy Diouf also makes the bench for the Bleus.