Rayan Cherki Explains France 3-1 Loss to Italy in Milan 2026

Key Points

• France suffered a 3–1 defeat against Italy at the San Siro in Milan during Matchday 5 of the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
• France midfielder Rayan Cherki identified slow ball circulation, static movement, and taking too many touches against Italy’s low defensive block as the primary reasons for the loss.
• Michael Olise put France ahead in the 10th minute following an error by Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
• Italy responded with a brace from Inter Milan striker Francesco Pio Esposito (26th minute and a 75th-minute penalty) and a 63rd-minute strike from Davide Frattesi, despite Sebastiano Esposito missing a penalty on the hour mark.
• France struck the woodwork twice through Bradley Barcola in the first half and Rayan Cherki in the second half.
• The result marked manager Zinédine Zidane’s first defeat as France head coach and ended Italy’s 64-year wait for a home victory against France.
• Italy moved to the top of League A, Group 1 on 10 points—level with second-placed France—ahead of the final group stage fixtures.

Paris (France News7) November 13, 2026 – France international playmaker Rayan Cherki has attributed Les Bleus’ 3–1 UEFA Nations League defeat to Italy in Milan to insufficient passing tempo and static offensive movement. Speaking after the Matchday 5 clash at the Stadio San Siro, the Manchester City midfielder explained that France failed to move the ball quickly enough once Italy settled into a compact defensive block. Despite taking a 10th-minute lead through Michael Olise and hitting the woodwork twice, Zinédine Zidane’s side conceded goals to Francesco Pio Esposito and Davide Frattesi to surrender top spot in their group.

What Happened During France’s 3–1 UEFA Nations League Defeat to Italy in Milan?

France suffered their first defeat under head coach Zinédine Zidane after squandering an early one-goal advantage to lose 3–1 against Roberto Mancini’s Italy at the Stadio San Siro on Thursday, November 12, 2026. Playing without captain Kylian Mbappé, who was ruled out due to muscle discomfort, the visitors began the League A, Group 1 encounter with high pressing and took the lead in the 10th minute when Michael Olise capitalised on a handling error by Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

According to match reports from Al Jazeera Sport and The Guardian, Italy equalised in the 26th minute with their first clear opportunity of the contest. Monza winger Nicolò Cambiaghi cut the ball back from the byline, allowing Inter Milan forward Francesco Pio Esposito to convert from close range. France nearly regained the advantage before the interval when Bradley Barcola struck the foot of the post.

In the second half, France came close to scoring again when Rayan Cherki unleashed a low shot that Donnarumma tipped onto the upright, shortly before French goalkeeper Mike Maignan produced a point-blank save to deny Cambiaghi. Italy were awarded a penalty at the 60-minute mark after Malo Gusto tripped Cambiaghi inside the area, though Sebastiano Esposito fired the resulting spot-kick wide.

Three minutes later, in the 63rd minute, Italy took the lead when substitute wing-back Federico Dimarco delivered a cross for midfielder Davide Frattesi to finish. Italy sealed the 3–1 victory in the 75th minute after French defender Dayot Upamecano fouled substitute Antonio Vergara in the penalty box, and Francesco Pio Esposito converted the second penalty into the bottom corner.

Why Did Rayan Cherki Say France Lost to Italy at the San Siro?

Speaking to French broadcasters and media outlets immediately after the final whistle, Rayan Cherki offered a candid assessment of France’s tactical execution following their promising opening quarter of an hour. The Manchester City attacking midfielder, who played 82 minutes and registered two shots during the match, stated that France lost control of the rhythm once Italy retreated into a compact defensive shape.

As quoted by Foot Mercato and Goal, Rayan Cherki stated: “I think it was a fairly complicated, fairly closed match. We started the match well. We did what was necessary, pressing them high, just like for the goal. And after that it was a more complicated match. We should have moved the ball more quickly. Unfortunately, that’s not what we did, but it will allow us to learn many lessons. Not everything could be perfect. We tried to do our best, but tonight, we are very frustrated”.

In separate post-match remarks broadcast by TF1 and published by UEFA.com, Cherki elaborated on how the team’s passing speed affected their ability to penetrate the Italian defence. As reported by UEFA.com, Rayan Cherki stated: “At certain points in the game, we didn’t play quickly enough, and that made a big difference. When we find each other quickly, we immediately create danger. It’s a shame because there were opportunities. We mustn’t forget that there’s a long way to go. There’s nothing to worry about in tonight’s performance”.

As additionally reported by Foot Mercato, Cherki expanded on the issue of excessive touches on the ball, noting: “I am of the opinion that yes, we permute well, we find each other well, but at certain moments in the game, we do not play fast enough in the game and that made a big difference. When we found each other quickly, we directly put them in danger. When we followed sequences with many touches, it became more complicated. It’s a shame because there was space. We must not forget that the road is very long. There is nothing worrying about the performance tonight.”

How Did Slow Ball Circulation Affect France’s Attacking Playmakers?

Cherki also highlighted the isolation experienced by France’s wide and central creative players during the opening stages of the contest. According to post-match disclosures referenced by The Rondo, Cherki noted that both he and fellow attacking midfielder Michael Olise were starved of regular possession during the opening quarter of the match, reflecting a lack of purposeful side-to-side ball movement needed to stretch Italy’s defensive lines.

What Did Zinédine Zidane, Adrien Rabiot, and Roberto Mancini Say After the Match?

Alongside Cherki’s technical breakdown, key figures from both national camps addressed the outcome in Milan. Reporting from the Stadio San Siro for UEFA.com, journalist Paolo Menicucci documented the post-match reactions of France head coach Zinédine Zidane, France midfielder Adrien Rabiot, and Italy head coach Roberto Mancini.

What Was Zinédine Zidane’s Reaction to His First Loss as France Manager?

Speaking to UEFA as reported by Paolo Menicucci of UEFA.com, France head coach Zinédine Zidane pointed to missed scoring chances and hitting the frame of the goal twice as decisive factors. Zinédine Zidane stated: “We played well for stretches of the match, especially in the first half. It’s true that we didn’t manage to score more, but we created many chances and even hit the woodwork twice. Not everything was bad”.

Midfielder Adrien Rabiot echoed the manager’s perspective regarding the broader context of the campaign. Speaking to RAI Sport as reported by Paolo Menicucci of UEFA.com, Adrien Rabiot stated: “It’s all part of the journey. As the coach told us after the match, it’s nothing serious; naturally, we’re disappointed, but that’s how it goes. We made mistakes in certain situations, but we still played a good game”.

How Did Italy Head Coach Roberto Mancini Respond to the Comeback Victory?

On the Italian side, head coach Roberto Mancini praised his squad’s composure after conceding in the 10th minute. Speaking to RAI Sport as reported by Paolo Menicucci of UEFA.com, Roberto Mancini stated: “Unfortunately, these things happen. We managed to stay calm, continued playing, and eventually thoroughly deserved the victory. Conceding a goal against France after ten minutes could’ve destroyed us; instead, we stayed calm, and we got back on track”.

In a further statement to RAI Sport reported by Paolo Menicucci of UEFA.com, Roberto Mancini added: “A great performance; the lads did so well. I am happy for the fans and hope they enjoyed themselves”.

How Does the Result Affect the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League Group Standings?

Table data reflects official UEFA Nations League Group A1 standings following Matchday 5 on November 12, 2026.

With one matchday remaining in the league phase, Italy lead Group A1 on 10 points. Although France also hold 10 points from five matches, Italy sit ahead on their superior head-to-head record following their 1–1 draw in France on October 2, 2026, and their 3–1 victory in Milan. Belgium remain in third place with nine points after defeating winless Türkiye.

What Is the Background Behind France and Italy’s 2026–27 Nations League Campaign?

The November 12 encounter took place during a transitional period for both European nations following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. France entered the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League under newly appointed head coach Zinédine Zidane, who succeeded Didier Deschamps after Les Bleus finished as runners-up at the 2026 World Cup. Prior to the trip to Milan, Zidane had overseen an unbeaten start to his tenure in the Nations League, recording away victories over Türkiye (1–0) and Belgium (1–0), a 1–1 home draw against Italy in October, and a 4–1 home win over Belgium.

For Italy, the fixture occurred during Roberto Mancini’s second spell as national team manager, following Italy’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive FIFA World Cup. Prior to Thursday’s victory at the San Siro, Italy had not defeated France on home soil for 64 years, dating back to 1962. The win extended Mancini’s unbeaten run in his second stint to four matches and mirrored Italy’s previous 3–1 Nations League victory over France in Paris in September 2024.

How Could This Defeat Affect the France National Team and Their Supporters Ahead of Matchday 6?

For the France national team coaching staff, players, and supporters, the defeat in Milan directly impacts their path to the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. Because Italy now hold the head-to-head tiebreaker, France no longer control their own destiny in the race to finish first in Group A1, which secures a seeded draw in the knockout stage. To advance to the quarter-finals—which are contested by the top two finishers in each League A group—France require at least one point from their final group fixture at home against bottom-placed Türkiye on Sunday, November 15, 2026. Meanwhile, if France defeat Türkiye and Italy fail to win away against third-placed Belgium on the same day, France will reclaim first place in the group. Tactically, Cherki’s public remarks indicate that Zidane’s squad will face immediate scrutiny from French supporters and analysts regarding their ability to break down low-block defences without injured captain Kylian Mbappé ahead of Sunday’s decisive qualifier.