UEFA Nations League: Donnarumma reacts to Mbappe’s absence

Gianluigi Donnarumma said he was grateful Italy didn’t have to face his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe in their final Nations League group match with France.

Despite the absence of the French star, Les Bleus recorded a 3-1 win to dislodge Azzurri from the group’s top.

This leaves Italy with quarterfinals against either Germany, Portugal or Spain.

France, on the other part, could play with the Netherlands, Croatia, or Denmark.

Mbappe has been absent from the French team for two consecutive FIFA calendars as he adapts to life at Real Madrid, where he began his adventure underwhelmingly.

As his absence was surprising,  Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps refused to give any reason for not extending an invite to the Real Madrid attacker.

France had managed a fraught goalless draw with Israel on Thursday in Mbappe’s absence before securing a 3-1 lead against Italy at the San Siro. Deschamps’ team fulfilled their objectives as they needed to win by at least two goals at the San Siro to emerge the winner of Group A2.

Knowing him as one of the best players in the world, Donnarumma described the absence of his former teammates as a big one, adding that his involvement would have caused further problems.

“If he were there, he would have caused us problems, but they have other players and a lot of quality. They have a lot of good players who can cause us problems and have a lot of energy,” the Italian captain told reporters.

Italy have been rejuvenated throughout the Nations League group stage after a disappointing performance at the Euro 2024 tournament. They remain unbeaten since their dismal European Championship title defense in the summer.

The defeat ends Luciano Spalletti’s team’s perfect record of five wins from five matches had they not had to play over half of last month’s 2-2 draw with Belgium in Rome with 10 men after taking an early two-goal lead.