Gianluigi Donnarumma insists he knows PSG teammate Bradley Barcola well enough to share ‘a few secrets’ with the Italy defence and doesn’t see ‘a favourite’ against France.
The opening Nations League game in this group kicks off at Parc des Princes on Friday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
This is the stadium where Paris Saint-Germain play their football and therefore has been the goalkeeper’s home since 2021.
It also used to be the home of France international superstar Kylian Mbappé, who moved to Real Madrid this summer and returns for the first time.
“We have a good rapport, we are friends, but tomorrow we will be rivals,” said Donnarumma in his press conference.
“Mbappé gave so much to the club and the city, I think he and all the France players will get a good reception from the fans. I doubt there will be a problem. While he was here, he gave his all, and a player has the right to make his choices.”
It was not dissimilar to the way Donnarumma let his contract with Milan run down to join PSG as a free agent.
“France have talented and unpredictable players, so we have our work cut out for us. I don’t think there can be a better fixture than this. We are not the team people saw at the Euros and so I am happy to face a great team like France.
“This is the start of a new era, we are all motivated, there is joy within the group and we must continue like this. I saw a sense of belonging and the desire to prove who we are.”
Donnarumma knows France players well
France reached the EURO 2024 semi-final, despite scoring only one goal from open play in the entire tournament, and are trying to bring through some new faces.
“Both teams have quality, perhaps we have a little more experience in the Italy squad,” continued Donnarumma.
“I don’t see a favourite to win. They have a lot of pace in the side, so we must be ready to do what we practiced in training to limit those risks.”
Among the most dangerous is his PSG teammate Bradley Barcola, who has four goals in three games this season and celebrated his 22nd birthday in the France camp.
“Barcola is a very good player and I think this season he made an extra step up the quality ladder. It is difficult for me to advise my teammates, because he is very unpredictable, but I have seen enough of him to know a few secrets.”
The former Milan goalkeeper is the player with the most senior caps and is therefore the captain of the Nazionale in this new tenure too, despite being only 25 years old.
“Being captain makes me very proud. As children, we all dream of playing for Italy and I feel a strong sense of responsibility. I like this type of challenge, I want to enjoy it and help others too,” explained Donnarumma.
“The captain is a figurehead, but there are many leaders within a group. Marquinhos is an inspiration for me with the way he is a captain at PSG.
“I think the team has given a strong response after the Euros, there is a different atmosphere and I like that.”
France have the home advantage at Parc des Princes, especially because Italy have not managed a victory in Paris for 70 years, since a 3-1 friendly win at the Stade de Colombes all the way back on April 11, 1954.
“Hopefully there will be many Italians in the stadium to cheer us on and we’ll try to make them proud,” smiled Donnarumma.
