Four League A fixtures kick off the fifth round of Nations League matches on Thursday. In Group A1, France, Italy and Belgium are competing for two quarter-final places, while Spain and England are virtually assured of progressing from Group A3. Several key absentees could have a significant bearing on the two headline encounters.
France travel to Milan without Mbappé
Italy and France meet again in Milan after playing out a 1-1 draw in Saint-Denis in October. France lead the group with ten points, ahead of Italy on seven and Belgium on six. A draw would be enough to secure France’s quarter-final place, while victory would also guarantee top spot. Italy, meanwhile, are looking to protect their advantage ahead of their final group game against Belgium.
Roberto Mancini’s side have improved considerably since opening their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Belgium. A 4-1 victory in Türkiye was followed by the draw in France and a 3-1 home win over the Turkish side. Francesco Pio Esposito has been particularly impressive, with the young Inter striker scoring seven goals in his first 13 international appearances.
Mancini must cope without several players, including Gianluca Mancini, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Giacomo Raspadori. Eighteen-year-old Udinese defender Matteo Palma has received his first senior call-up as a replacement for the injured Roma centre-back.
France, meanwhile, will be without their captain and talisman Kylian Mbappé. The striker is suffering from a thigh problem and head coach Zinédine Zidane has decided not to take any risks. Mbappé could still be available for Sunday’s match against Türkiye. Ousmane Dembélé and Aurélien Tchouaméni are also unavailable, with young Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Senny Mayulu called up to replace the latter.
Despite those absences, France still possess considerable attacking quality. Michael Olise has scored four goals and provided two assists in the opening four group matches. He struck twice in the recent 4-1 victory over Belgium, with Désiré Doué and Rayan Cherki also finding the net. France were trailing until the 76th minute before scoring four late goals to complete a remarkable turnaround.
Kane set to make England history against Croatia
Harry Kane will be the centre of attention at Wembley. The newly crowned Ballon d’Or winner is set to start, according to manager Thomas Tuchel, and will overtake Peter Shilton as England’s most-capped men’s player with his 126th international appearance. Kane has scored in each of his last four Nations League matches.
England enter the contest in second place with nine points. After losing their opening game 3-2 to Spain, they have won three consecutive matches, scoring twelve goals without conceding. Their most emphatic result came in Croatia in early October, when Kane and Bukayo Saka both scored twice in a stunning 7-0 victory. A draw at Wembley would now mathematically secure England’s quarter-final place.
Tuchel must do without Saka and defenders Marc Guéhi, Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence. Dan Burn and James Hill have been called up, while Declan Rice returns to midfield. Jobe Bellingham has also earned his first senior call-up and could make his England debut alongside his older brother Jude.
Croatia arrive under pressure after three consecutive defeats. Following their 7-0 humiliation against England, Slaven Bilić’s side suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Spain, having led for much of the match before conceding late on.
Their problems are compounded by several absences. Ivan Perišić is suspended following his second yellow card against Spain, while Andrej Kramarić, Marin Pongračić and Franjo Ivanović are sidelined through injury. Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić and Joško Gvardiol remain available, however. Bilić could also pair Gvardiol with 19-year-old Luka Vušković in central defence, with the Croatia coach tipping the Brighton defender for a bright future.
Belgium seek vital points as Türkiye begin a new era
Türkiye host Belgium at 18:00 CET, still searching for their first point after four defeats, having scored twice and conceded eleven. New head coach Sergen Yalçın takes charge for the first time and will look to steady a side featuring Arda Güler and the returning Hakan Çalhanoğlu. Kenan Yıldız remains sidelined through injury, while Abdülkerim Bardakcı is suspended.
Belgium have six points, just one behind Italy, and need a victory to strengthen their quarter-final chances. Kevin De Bruyne returns from suspension, while Jérémy Doku is also available again. Romelu Lukaku misses out with a hip problem, and Roméo Lavia is suspended. Belgium won the reverse fixture 3-0, with De Bruyne scoring twice.
Spain chase top spot without Yamal and Rodri
Spain travel to Prague with a perfect record of four wins from four matches. Luis de la Fuente’s side have already qualified for the quarter-finals but are determined to secure first place ahead of their final group showdown with England.
They will have to manage without two key players in Lamine Yamal and Rodri, while Dani Olmo and Mikel Oyarzabal are also unavailable. Even more responsibility therefore rests on Mikel Merino, who scored twice in the 2-1 win in Croatia.
Czechia, meanwhile, have lost all four matches and scored just twice. Coach Santi Denia will be without the injured Pavel Šulc and Robin Hranáč, although Ladislav Krejčí returns from suspension to provide a welcome defensive boost.
