WORLD CUP FINAL - FRANCE v ITALY - MATCH PREVIEW IV - OVERVIEW
Andy Morgan

This game is all about tactics. Both teams have the players and the desire to win the competition so the result will largely depend on individual inspiration or individual mistakes.

France and Italy both have things going for them. France have been here before. Only eight years ago they won the World Cup and so for them, the pressure is somewhat reduced. Added to this is the sense of achievement felt in France already, no one expected them to go this far let alone win the competition. This implies that the French will be the more relaxed simply because the pressure is off.

What the Italians lack in experience they make up for in youth and it is concerning that the French players looked drained against Portugal. Playing against the oldest squad in the competition, the Italians can use their youth to their advantage. Added to this is that Italy have had an extra day's rest so that if it goes to extra-time you would have to place your money on Italy. In many ways this is a match that will show whether experience or youth is better to have in pressured situations.

French veteran defender Lilian Thuram accepts that the Final is between two very solid teams, yet teams that also have a large element of creativity. Thuram believes that it is the Italian solidarity that has served them so well during this World Cup and it is this that his side must break in Berlin.

Both sides know a lot about each other, with eight of the players on show (five from Italy and three from France) playing for Juventus alone. There will be many personal battles between various players and a great deal of knowledge shared players who are normally teammates but who are now opponents.

There is a strong feeling of unity inside both squads. France coach Raymond Domenech has paid tribute to all of his squad, including those who have not yet kicked a ball in this tournament, for their vital role in their success. Thuram has also spoken about the strength of the bonds inside the camp and knows that those early games in which they played poorly only strengthened the resolve of his side. The confidence that returned against Spain, he says, has been pivotal in their later successes in this competition and he knows it will be especially important here.

This unity is largely due to the squad choice of Domenech. He was determined to leave out the talented yet disruptive Nikolas Anelka, Robert Pirès, Johan Micoud and Ludovic Giuly for the sake of unity within his squad and this policy seems to have worked like a dream. Thuram famously said that Jacques Santini's Euro 2004 squad suffered from a 'lack of discipline' and it looks like Domenech has listened to his more experienced players and drafted in a squad based on harmony above talent.

Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has also cited the camaraderie in his squad as the key to their success in the tournament. He has also praised the tactical nous of Marcello Lippi, who, he says, has brought out the very best in his players. Lippi agrees, saying that this strength and unity has seen them through so far and he hopes that this will do them well in Berlin.

If inner strength and passion was to be the determining factor then both sides look even. When history is examined, the Italians have performed slightly better than their European neighbours when they have been in direct competition. This is deceptive however as in recent years history has favoured the French rather than the Italians.

Italy and France have met on thirty-two occassions, with Italy winning seventeen. France have won a mere seven. However the last time Italy lost a World Cup knock-out match in ninety minutes it was against the French, who beat them 2-0 in the Second Round of the 1986 World Cup.

In recent years the French have also had the edge. They beat the Italians 4-3 on penalties en route to winning the World Cup in 1998. In Euro 2000 they beat them 2-1 in the Final. This was particularly soul-destroying for the Italians, who had been leading 1-0 up until a ninetieth minute equaliser. David Trezeguet's Golden Goal settled the contest in extra-time and many in Italy will be glad that the Juventus frontman will only be on the bench for this one.

Italy have used many more substitutes than the French (Italy have played all of their squad players, France only fourteen). But with Louis Saha out, Domenech is almost forced into playing new squad players if they are required. They do have less strength in depth than the Italians though and this, coupled with their age, may be their downfall.

The case seems to be that if France can score early, and nullify the Italian threat then they will win this tie. However the longer the game goes on, the more you must favouritise the Italians. The nerves in the World Cup Final often promote a safety-first mentality, at least in the opening stages of the game and for this reason I must back Italy to win this one. The French will put up a strong test though and an Italian win is by no means a foregone conclusion.

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