PSG could be particularly well represented in Zinedine Zidane’s starting XI against Italy. Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué are serious candidates to start on Friday night at the Stade de France. Maghnes Akliouche, the third PSG player in the squad following Warren Zaïre-Emery’s withdrawal, appears less likely to make the starting lineup. Will Zidane hand the keys to his attack to the Parisian duo?
PSG could play a major role in Zidane’s first match at the Stade de France. On Friday night, Les Bleus host Italy in the Nations League, and the France coach is expected to make several changes following the victories over Turkey (1-0) and Belgium (1-0). Three PSG players are currently with the squad: Dembélé, Doué and Akliouche, who was called up to replace the injured Zaïre-Emery.
Dembélé and Doué Together Against Italy?
It is in attack that PSG’s influence could be strongest. Several predicted lineups ahead of the match feature a front three of Michael Olise, Dembélé and Doué. Sport.fr, for example, has both PSG forwards in its expected XI, with Dembélé through the middle and Doué on the left. The partnership is particularly intriguing in Kylian Mbappé’s absence. Dembélé was rested against Belgium, while Zidane tested Doué centrally with Bradley Barcola on the left. Early training sessions at Clairefontaine had already seen Dembélé and Doué playing together in the same team. Everything therefore suggests Zidane is seriously considering pairing the two PSG stars, although Barcola remains a credible alternative to Doué on the left.
Akliouche currently appears less likely to start. Initially left out of the squad, the former Monaco player was recalled following Zaïre-Emery’s withdrawal. His versatility nevertheless gives Zidane another option, as he has been used not only as a winger but also as a right-sided central midfielder in training. A start against Italy would therefore be a genuine surprise, while seeing two PSG players in the starting XI appears far more plausible.
One possible France lineup is: Maignan – Koundé, Upamecano, Jacquet, Diouf – Cherki, Da Cunha, Rabiot – Olise, Dembélé, Doué. However, predictions remain highly varied, with Foot01 suggesting a heavily rotated side featuring Lepaul and Barcola in attack, without Dembélé or Doué from the start. Zidane is therefore keeping everyone guessing, but from a PSG perspective, the most enticing scenario would be a Dembélé-Doué partnership tasked with breaking down Italy, with Akliouche ready to make an impact from the bench. It could be a very Parisian night at the Stade de France.
