Alessandro Bastoni, the Italy national team player, joked with a journalist who asked him about Ousmane Dembélé, the France national team player.
Bastoni's joke came after his club Inter lost 5-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 Champions League final, where he managed to provide two assists.
Bastoni told journalists: "Ousmane Dembélé? You probably saw what happened the last time I faced him. I am the last person you should ask. It is not easy. He is a wonderful player like all the players in France."
He added, "As defenders, we must deliver a great performance, just as the whole team must. I believe the only way to put France in trouble is for us to play without fear of possessing the ball. I see that this will make the difference."
The Italian national team is preparing to face its rival France in the match that will bring them together tonight in the third round of the UEFA Nations League group stage.
Italy lost the opening match against Belgium 2-0, then won against Turkey 4-1 in the second round.
Meanwhile, France managed to win both matches by the same scoreline of 1-0 against Turkey and Belgium respectively.
France tops the group with 6 points, followed by Belgium in second place with 3 points, ahead of the Italian national team which ranks third on goal difference, while the Turkish national team trails at the bottom of the group with no points.
