Italy earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw away against France on Friday evening, a result that saw them achieve a significant attacking milestone against the reigning World Cup semi-finalists.
During the first 45 minutes in Paris, Roberto Mancini’s side registered eight shots. This marks the highest number of first-half shots by an away team against France since the semi-finals of EURO 2016. On that occasion, Germany managed 11 first-half shots against France, though they ultimately lost 2-0.
Mancini’s Second Spell and Recent Form
This draw is a positive step for Italy under Roberto Mancini, who is in his second spell as the national team manager. His current tenure began with a 2-0 defeat at home against Belgium. However, the Azzurri have since shown resilience, securing an impressive 4-1 away victory over Turkey earlier this week, followed by the draw against Zinedine Zidane’s France.
Italy’s recent performances come after their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, adding extra pressure on the team to rebuild and perform well in international fixtures. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was between the posts for Italy during the match.
France’s Strong Pedigree
The draw against France is particularly noteworthy given the hosts’ formidable international record. France were semi-finalists in the 2026 World Cup, finalists in 2022, and lifted the trophy in 2018. Facing such a decorated opponent away from home and achieving a draw, while also setting an attacking record, provides a boost for the Italian squad.
The result suggests a growing confidence in Italy’s attacking play, especially in the first half, as they look to establish consistency under Mancini’s leadership.