Preview: France Women vs. Italy Women - prediction, team news, lineups

France are aiming to lift their first major trophy, and they will be looking to start the tournament with a win, while Italy will be keen to cause a surprise in Rotherham.

Match preview

With France ranked third in the FIFA World Rankings, Corinne Diacre's side will believe that they have a chance to go all the way at Euro 2022.

If they are to reach clinch the silverware then France must make history, having failed to progress further than the quarter-finals in their six appearances at the European Championship.

They have also never reached a final of a major tournament after suffering semi-final eliminations at the 2012 Olympics and 2011 World Cup.

Despite their mixed record at major tournaments, France carry significant momentum into Euro 2022 as they look to extend a run of 14 consecutive victories on Sunday.

While they have scored at least two goals in 12 of those wins, a sturdy defence that has kept 10 clean sheets in that period suggests that France have all the attributes to reach the latter stages of the tournament.

In contrast to their opponents, Italy have reached the final of the European Championships in 1993 and 1997, however, they have struggled to match that success in the 21st century.

Italy have failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals in the last five editions of the tournament, while in 2017 they were eliminated in the group stage.

Although they will be hoping to reach their first final in 25 years, Italy's initial priority will be to finish in the top two of a group that features France, Belgium and Switzerland.

They prepared for the tournament with a 1-1 home draw against Spain, with Alexia Putellas levelling after Valentina Bergamaschi had given Italy the lead.

The performance against Spain ensured that Milena Bertolini have avoided defeat inside 90 minutes in their last seven games, and they will put their unbeaten on the line once again on Sunday.

France Women form (all competitions):

Italy Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Diacre surprised many pundits when she decided against calling up Amandine Henry, who scored in Lyon's Champions League final victory over Barcelona.

France's record goalscorer Eugenie Le Sommer was also left out of the squad, which will result in Katoto taking on the role of the main striker.

Katoto finished the 2021-22 season as the top scorer in Division 1 Feminine, and the 23-year-old is set to feature in the frontline alongside Kadidiatou Diani and Delphine Cascarino.

As for Italy, Laura Giuliani will start between the posts, with the AC Milan goalkeeper expected to be shielded by the centre-back pairing of Sara Gama and Elena Linari.

After scoring in the 1-1 draw against Spain, Bergamaschi is expected to keep her place in the side for Sunday's contest.

Bergamaschi is set to be joined in the forward line by the Juventus duo of Barbara Bonansea and Cristiana Girelli.

France Women possible starting lineup:

Peyraud-Magnin; Perisset, Tounkara, Mbock, Bacha; Dali, Bilbault, Mateo; Diani, Cascarino, Katoto

Italy Women possible starting lineup:

Giuliani; Bartoli, Gama, Linari, Boattin; Caruso, Giugliano, Cernoia; Bergamaschi, Bonansea, Girelli

We say: France Women 2-1 Italy Women

Although Italy demonstrated against Spain that they can compete with the best in Europe, we think that they will come up just short against a France side that contains a number of quality players that could help them reach the latter stages of the tournament.

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