Italy downed by France as Olivier Giroud and Antony Martial get on scoresheet

Giampiero Ventura’s first game in charge of Italy ended in a 3-1 defeat at the hands of France in a friendly match played at Stadio San Nicola.

The former Bari manager selected a similar line-up and formation to the side Antonio Conte picked for the Euro 2016 defeat to Germany in July. But it ended in yet another loss and the 68-year-old will be concerned with the Azzuri’s latest performance.

In contrast, Didier Deschamps named a new-look France team as Les Bleus look to get over their summer heartbreak. It took only 17 minutes for the smiles to return to French faces as Anthony Martial struck to break the deadlock when he was slipped through by Manchester United team-mate Paul Pogba after a defensive mistake by Giorgio Chiellini.

However, parity was restored only four minutes later when former Southampton striker Graziano Pelle scored in spectacular style. Olivier Giroud restored the visitors' lead on 28 minutes when he was allowed too much space in the penalty area to rifle in France's second of the game.

Italy improved in the second period and despite going close through Pelle, it was France who grabbed the game’s all-important fourth goal as Layvin Kurzawa beat 17-year-old substitute goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who became the youngest ever goalkeeper to represent Italy.

Italy’s poor defending: The Azzuri have always been famous for their resilience at the back but they looked extremely vulnerable each time France came forward - they couldn't cope with Les Bleus, Pogba in particular. It is an issue Ventura will have to address before the potential banana-skin encounter with Israel next week.

Paul Pogba (France) - The 23-year-old was far and away the best player on the pitch. Showed terrific vision to provide the opening goal of the match. Rarely lost the ball throughout.

Italy: Buffon 5, Barzagli 5, Astori 5, Chiellini 5, Candreva 7, Parolo 6, De Rossi 6, Bonaventura 5, De Sciglio 5, Pelle 6, Eder 6. Subs: Donnarumma 5, Rugani 5, Florenzi 6, Belotti 5, Verratti 6, Montolivo 6.

France: Mandanda 6, Sidibe 6, Varane 6, Koscielny 7, Kurzawa 8, Pogba8, Matuidi 7, Kante 7, Griezmann 6, Martial 7, Giroud 7. Subs: Payet 6, Gignac 6, Sissoko 6, Digni 6, Umtiti 6, Dembele 6.

3’ - CHANCE! The hosts go close to breaking the dead-lock after only three minutes! Candreva wins a corner and takes the set-piece himself, finding Pelle in the penalty area but the forward's first-time shot is sent narrowly off-target.

17’ - GOAL! Italy 0-1 France - Manchester United team-mates link up to open the scoring for the visitors! Chiellini slips in Italy's defence, allowing Pogba space to pick out Martial who then coolly slides the ball past Buffon.

21’ - GOAL! Italy 1-1 France - The Azzuri are level within minutes and it's a well-taken goal from Pelle! Eder finds the former Southampton player with a pass from the wing, and with his back to goal, he turns and wrong-foots Mandanda with a clever shot.

28’ - GOAL! Italy 1-2 France - Giroud restores the visitors' lead with a well-taken half-volley! Italy could only partially clear a corner, Kurzawa headed the ball back into the penalty area where Giroud was ready to pounce, smashing the ball into the corner of the net.

36’ - WIDE! A great chance created courtesy of a nice team move is wasted as Candreva screws the ball well wide of goal from inside the penalty area.

51’ - CLOSE! Gignac, only on at half-time almost extends France's lead with a curling effort from 25 yards but it's sent just wide of the post. Donnarumma was beaten.

68’ - CHANCE! Pelle looks to light up a low-key second-half as he connects with an in-swinging cross from Candreva but the forward can't keep his header down.

81’ - GOAL! Italy 1-3 France - Les Bleus extend their lead against the run of play! Pogba plays through Kurzawa and the full-back tucks the ball home from a tight angle. Donnarumma will be disappointed to be beaten at his near post.

Ousmane Dembele is the second youngest player to play for France in the 21st century (19 years 109 days) behind Benzema (19 years 99 days).

Olivier Giroud has scored in six of France's last eight friendlies (eight goals overall).

Steve Mandanda has only kept five clean sheets in his 23 games for France.

Antonio Candreva made 24 crosses - France's players attempted 10 altogether.

Gianluigi Donnarumma was born 484 days after Gigi Buffon's debut with Italy on 29th of October 1997.