In a thrilling encounter at the iconic San Siro, Italy succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against France, a result that saw Luciano Spalletti's side lose their grip on the top position in Group A2 of the Nations League. This match marked a pivotal moment after Italy's previous victory over France just a month prior.

France came out with a vengeance, aiming to avenge their 3-1 loss suffered in Paris. The opening act was dramatic as Adrien Rabiot scored with a powerful header just two minutes into the match. Soon after, Lucas Digne’s perfectly placed free-kick became an unfortunate own goal for Italy’s goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who misjudged the rebound off the post. Italy managed to respond quickly, with Andrea Cambiaso leveling the score just 90 seconds later.

However, Rabiot would not be denied; he netted his second goal of the night from yet another set piece midway through the second half, sealing the deal for the French team.

With the defeat, Italy's performance ratings highlighted underwhelming displays across the board:

- **Guglielmo Vicario (4)**: The Tottenham goalkeeper had a night to forget, with early blunders on set pieces leading to the opening goal and an own goal that compounded Italy's struggles.

- **Giovanni Di Lorenzo (6)**: Demonstrated a marked improvement from previous games, playing a key role in defense despite being part of a team that conceded three set-piece goals.

- **Alessandro Buongiorno (5)**: As a central figure in defense, he struggled to organize the setup effectively, allowing Rabiot to slip through for the first goal.

- **Bastoni (5.5)**: Held his own against Randal Kolo Muani but couldn’t prevent the defensive failures that plagued his team.

- **Andrea Cambiaso (6.5)**: Showed promise with a well-timed run that led to his goal, but it was not enough to lift spirits amid a disappointing defeat.

- **Davide Frattesi (5)**: Lacked the dynamism seen in prior performances due to an injury knock, affecting his game significantly.

- **Manuel Locatelli (5.5)**: Failed to effectively challenge Rabiot for his second header during the match, a missed opportunity that proved costly.

- **Sandro Tonali (6)**: Tried to motivate his teammates with strong tackles and counter-attacks, though he couldn’t create significant opportunities.

- **Federico Dimarco (6.5)**: The silver lining for Italy, he provided the assist for the only goal, showcasing his attacking capabilities despite the overall team struggles.

- **Nicolò Barella (6.5)**: As the captain, he showed promise in the first half but faded in the second as the pressure mounted.

- **Matteo Retegui (4)**: A disappointing performance in front of goal, he struggled to leave an impact, only managing 14 touches without a single shot.

For France, the standout performer was **Lucas Digne (9)**, whose influence was felt not just defensively, but also offensively through his set-piece execution. Rabiot also excelled with an overall rating of **8**, cementing his role as a critical player in this matchup.

As the dust settles from this decisive group stage encounter, Italy will need to regroup, focusing on refining their defensive arrangements, particularly during set pieces, if they hope to bounce back in future competitions. Meanwhile, France’s confidence boost from this performance sets a promising narrative for their journey in the ongoing tournament. Stay tuned, as the Nations League heats up with intense rivalries and unexpected plot twists around the corner!