Preview: France vs. Italy
GAME DETAILS
France vs. Italy, Berlin, 20:00 CET
Travel to Berlin
Bet on France vs. Italy (UK Bettors Here - Free 40 pound bet)
Pick the winner and win prizes
World Cup Gear: France | Italy
THE BIG PICTURE
This is it. After four years of waiting, we will have a new World Cup champion crowned in Berlin on Sunday. Italy is gunning for their fourth World Cup title. France is looking to capture their second. Italy has advanced to this point thanks to excellent defense that has given up just one goal in six games. On the offensive side of things, the Azzurri have had ten different players score. France has also been stingy on the defensive side of things, yielding just two goals to this point. The old guard of Les Bleus have been able to put together a couple of masterful performances in this tournament. France and Italy playing for the World Cup trophy in Germany. It doesn’t get much better than this.
Teams: Likely formation; shirt numbers, name, caps, goals, coach:
Italy: 1-Gianluigi Buffon (66-0); 19-Gianluca Zambrotta (57-2), 23-Marco Materazzi (31-1), 5-Fabio Cannavaro (99-1), 3-Fabio Grosso (22-2); 20-Simone Perrotta (30-1), 21-Andrea Pirlo (30-5), 8-Gennaro Gattuso (46-1); 16-Mauro Camoranesi (25-1), 10-Francesco Totti (57-9); 9-Luca Toni (23-9). Coach: Marcello Lippi
France: (4-2-3-1): 16-Fabien Barthez (86-0); 19-Willy Sagnol (44-0), 15-Lilian Thuram (120-2), 5-William Gallas (46-1), 3-Eric Abidal (13-0); 4-Patrick Vieira (93-6), 6-Claude Makelele (49-0); 22-Franck Ribery (9-1), 10-Zinedine Zidane (107-30), 7-Florent Malouda (18-2); 12-Thierry Henry (84-36)Coach: Raymond Domenech
Injured: Alessandro Nesta, Italy
Suspended: Louis Saha, France
All-time head to head: France and Italy have played one another 32 times. Italy has won 17 times, France has won 7 times and there have been 8 draws. In the World Cup, the two teams have met 4 times with Italy winning twice, France one and two draws.
Uniforms: Italy will wear blue. France will wear white for the fourth straight game this World Cup.
LIVEBLOG
Follow the match highlights as they happen on the France vs. Italy LiveBlog and stop by to leave your thoughts and comments about the match
SHARE YOUR PHOTOS AND VIDEOS and win World Cup Swag!
Where are you watching the game? Wherever you are in the world, we want to know about it. You can win prizes for sharing your fan photos and videos of the France vs. Italy match. Send in your photos and video via these instructions. Whether you are at the game, or cheering along at your local pub, record the action and send them in.
IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS
Five France players (Fabien Barthez, William Gallas, Claude Makelele, Willy Sagnol, Lilian Thuram) have played every minute of France’s six games.
France coach Raymond Domenech is expected to start the same lineup that he has fielded the past three matches. Before the tournament Domenech had never fielded the same team in successive matches.
France have gone 15 games unbeaten. Their last defeat came against Greece in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004.
France Team Blog
Team Roster
Buy a France jersey to support the team
Italy have not beaten France since the World Cup finals in 1978 when they enjoyed a 2-1 win in the group stage. Since then they have met six times with France winning four and two draws.
Italy have scored at least one goal in their last 10 matches at a World Cup finals. Ten Italian players have scored at these finals.
Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro will make his 100th appearance for his country.
Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon has not conceded a goal for 453 minutes, the second best run in the history of the tournament behind compatriot Walter Zenga, who went an incredible 517 minutes without being beaten at Italia 90.
Italy Team Blog
Team Roster
Buy an Italy jersey to support the team
TEAM BLOGS & DISCUSSIONS
France Team Blog
Italy Team Blog
 |
Soccer Forums | International Results |  |
 |  Travel |
Related Posts
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share        |
Comments
Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 26 comments.
Read the rest of the comments
By TSN | July 8th, 2006 at 6:25 pm 
viva france
from Croatia
Posted from 
Canada
By Marco | July 8th, 2006 at 7:01 pm Who is the home team for this match? is it Certain or confirmed that Italy will be wearing their blue kits?
By TSN | July 8th, 2006 at 7:42 pm nope france blue
italy white beacuse they want 2002 to be remember
hahaha
FORZA FRANCE!!
Posted from Canada
By Cancer | July 8th, 2006 at 11:17 pm FORZA ITALIA
Posted from 
Qatar
By shlemazl | July 8th, 2006 at 11:33 pm By shlemazl | July 8th, 2006 at 11:34 pm By shlemazl | July 8th, 2006 at 11:35 pm By shlemazl | July 8th, 2006 at 11:36 pm By Sonny | July 9th, 2006 at 10:45 am wow that took you a lot of tries lol
Posted from 
Uzbekistan
By Trapper | July 9th, 2006 at 4:04 pm This is probably as good a time as any to mention how much I have been enjoying WorldCupBlog.
I would invest in your fine site, but I have this weird gut feeling that your stock is about to decline somewhat, and may not rise again for several years.
Call me prescient.
Italy to win in Extra Time.
Posted from 
Australia
By Dave Hamilton | July 9th, 2006 at 4:29 pm The crown jewel in national team soccer — the World Cup — will be contested by two old European rivals, France and Italy.
I have no idea how either coach will choose to manage his assets tonight, but based on what I think their likely formulas for victory could be, here’s how I see it.
The critical Italian press has managed to muffle itself somewhat since the Azzurri’s messy draw with the U.S.A. Perhaps they have come to realize what some of us knew from the beginning: Marcello Lippi is a good coach!
Lippi will have 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-3-1-2, 4-4-1-1 formations at his disposal, but my guess is he will shelve the 1-1 up front for France and play Toni and Gilardino ahead of Totti tonight. And although De Rossi is back to see if he has reformed himself after a four-game stint on the bench for thuggish behavior against those same Americans, I am not sure Lippi will tinker much with the guys who brought him to the dance. De Rossi may play, but behind Totti I expect to see midfielders Camoranesi, Pirlo and Gattuso at the outset.
Without going any further, I think this will play right into France’s hands if Domenech “lets his dogs loose,” to coin one of the coach’s phrases made in group play during this Cup, meaning Ribery, Henry (whether he is at the apex or not) and Zidane must attack at will and trust Vieira to manage things on both sides of the center stripe and, along with Makelele, to add STEEL support to the back four, led by central defenders Thuram and Gallas, with fiery Willy Sagnol on one wing. Of course, Vieira, Gallas and, if necessary, even Thuram must make their striking presence felt on corner and free kicks as well.
My reasoning for abandoning the conservative tack is that Gattuso is the only real holding midfielder, Pirlo and Camoranesi will be overworked, and the plundering “Bleus” could be knocking on Italy’s door all night if Domenech resists the urge to play for a 1-0 win. The French boss can continue to run the same 4-5-1 lineup he has for the past three matches, but if Domenech is too reticent to mount sustained attacks, his charges may end up very blue because 1-0 might not be enough. And no one wants a shootout in the finale either.
Regardless of what Domenech does, Toni must leave it all on the field for however long he is there (and Gilardino as well if there), with Iaquinta, Del Piero and Inzaghi held for the final 65-minute plus Italian assault if needed.
If it comes down to the dreaded shootout, Italy will have the big edge. Buffon has been the most effective keeper in this tournament and holds a huge advantage over past-his-prime Barthez on the other end of the pitch. Cannavaro, who has been superb in this Cup anchoring the Azzurri back line and eliminating the silly fouls that marked his career in years past, now is “reading” the game as well as anyone anywhere, knows the zonal responsibilities of his defense, and man-marks with the best of them.
If Domenech lets those dogs loose as described, they should prevail 2-1, even with Buffon in net because France has already put the “old legs” myth to bed in this Cup and adrenalin will be pumping tonight. If he remains conservative, it could end 1-0 either way, or even go to 0-0 and a shootout. If the latter does occur, unlike 1994, it will be Italy cheering throughout the Berlin night.
Dave hamildav@yahoo.com
Posted from 
United States
By Dave Hamilton | July 9th, 2006 at 4:52 pm But France also had a goal that was clearly a goal disallowed against South Korea. That draw almost kept Les Bleus from advancing. I thought Henry’s “foul” in the box was very lame as well, but what’s new in this Cup? Actually I hope Italy wins, but believe France should. They have the experience and savvy in key areas.
Dave hamildav@yahoo.com
Posted from United States
By Marcy | July 9th, 2006 at 4:52 pm Italy will prevail! Both defences are as tough as steel, but Italy´s is more versatile and lends greater support to counter-attacks. It´ll be very tactical, like 95% of all games played. And, it will be tight.
In the end, I really hope Italy carries the crown.
French media were obnoxious with the Portuguese squad and very fortunate to have made it through to the final with a great dive by Henry (he took full advantage of Carvalho´s leg being “there”). They don´t deserve to be cahmpions.
Well, then again, Italy doesn´t either!! They were really helped by unbelieveably bad calls by refs all through the tournament.
But France even deserves less than Italy - especially since they so undeservingly beat Portugal.
FORZA ITÁLIA!!!
Posted from 
Portugal
By Lizy and George | July 9th, 2006 at 5:46 pm go france
Posted from 
Czech Republic
By alex | July 9th, 2006 at 6:11 pm both sides deserve to be here. especially italy. italy had as many calls go against them. so enough of these accusations. you need some luck.
Posted from Canada
By Adam | July 9th, 2006 at 6:22 pm France is the suprise of this final game, and yes they do deserve to be there. I am Italian and I said all along the way before the first game started, I guessed that Italy will play Germany in Semifinals, but couldn’t really guess who was gonna win that game, however, I said that whoever wins the Italy-Germany game WILL WIN the world cup, Italy won that game and Italy will win the world cup this evening, I’m here in Berlin to watch the game, writing this from an internet cafe’ shop, we will not allow France get the cup twice in 8 years, we’ve been waiting for this since 1982 and God damn it, we’re not going back home without it, we took the Germans now we’re taking the french by a tough game that will end by 1-0 :).
Adam in Germany
Posted from United States
By Rina | July 9th, 2006 at 8:52 pm did anyone see that playacting for that penalty kick??? u still think the french r clean??? shjove this up yr arse u b*****
the better team is clearly italy and may the better win!!!
Posted from 
France
By pwnawannab | July 9th, 2006 at 9:20 pm offside yessssss
Posted from United States
By IOAN TODIROAE (i_todiroae@yahoo.fr 15:43 lu10.07.2006 Piatra-Neamt, ROMANIA) | July 10th, 2006 at 2:41 pm Rezultat final : Italia / Italy 6 Franta / France 4
unde am adunat atat scorul de 1 - 1 dupa prelungiri
cat si scorul de 5 - 3 de la penalty-uri.
Italia, campioana mondiala 2006 la fotbal.
Viva Italia !!!
Forza Italia !!!
Vive et la France !!!
Vive et les bleus !!!
Data : Du 09 \ 07 \ 2006
Locul : Berlin
Tara : Germania / Deutschland / Allemagne / Germany
Faza : finala
Competitia : Campionatul Mondial de Fotbal Germania 2006
Coupe du Monde de Football Allemagne 2006
Football Coupe du Monde Allemagne 2006
FIFA WORLD CUP Germany 2006
2006 FIFA World Cup Germany
Multumesc Germania pentru minunata organizare a Campionatului Mondial de Fotbal 2006.
Multumesc tuturor initiatorilor, proiectantilor, constructorilor etc frumosului stadioan din Berlin unde a avut loc finala Campionatului Mondial de Fotbal 2006.
Danke Deutschland !!!
D!anke !!!
By boblai | July 11th, 2006 at 8:22 am Soccer is unusually arbitrary in its rules and subjective in the enforcement of them. At the
same time, it is an international sport and the most popular one in the world. The arbitrariness
extends to the judgement of its fans so that some saw Zidane’s butt as a vicious, thuggish blow to the solar plexus while others believe Materrazi faked contact by swinging his chest at the already lowered “legendary dome” of Zizou. To be sure, the head butt was real, its impact was
quite concentrated, but its target on the upper chest was calculated to express indignation and not to cause permanent injury. The dynamic rebound of Materrazi’s body was also real but, true to footballer’s second nature, artistically exagerrated. Materrazi said something both insulting and indecent to elicit this response. Zidane, lured into the inner city mode and forgetting for the moment that he was in the World Cup Final, put Materrazi in his place. The refereee then put Zidane in his place. We should also put soccer in its place and recognize its inextricable element of low comedy and farce but our nationalist instincts and lack of true goals in our own lives cause us to elevate it to the status of high tragedy so that we talk about the outcome of games in terms of divine fate and look at players as gods. To me, the unbelievable eleventh hour head butt when everything was at stake was something more on a level with pro wrestling or a puppet show, a moment of entertainment that, together with the fantastic diving, bogus injuries, and gravely mistaken calls, may be part of the special charm of this strange game.
Posted from 
China
By sabrina | August 14th, 2006 at 12:24 pm HAHA SO MUCH FOR FRANCE IS BLUE!!! FORZA ITALIA!!! 4 YEARS!!! FRANCE SUX AND ITALY DESERVED TO WIN! france are dirty players DID U SEE THAT HEAD BUTT! bull $hit he was insulting ur family, and even if he was… he was telling the truth!!!!!! VIVA ITALIA!!!!!! BUFON UR MY HERO! ITALY KICKS @$$! ~*~ciao~*~
Posted from Canada
By Magda | July 17th, 2007 at 4:04 am who can help me:)? i need to know what is the name of song which Italian were singing after they won.
Posted from 
Poland
By sameh | August 5th, 2007 at 11:40 am thx
By Mitchell | January 9th, 2008 at 9:52 am pfft.. the only team that i didnt want to win (Italy) was the team that won. go figure.
Posted from United States
By Mitchell | January 9th, 2008 at 9:58 am okay sabrina.. number one, calm the f*ck down. italy sucks.. and everybody knows it. france has dirty players? im assuming that you wouldnt stick up for your family. but hey.. if i was Zadane.. i would have done the exact same, if not 100% worse. and if france has ‘dirty’ players then i have no problem in calling italy a bunch of pussy ass babies. they whine and cry about every damn call they get against them. take out someones feet and the shrug it off like nothing happened, or when they even get TOUCHED, they fall down.. grabbin their chin, knee, leg.. WHATEVER. do me a favour… watch Robin Williams LIVE, when he makes fun of Italy and their whining. it is hallarious.. not to mention intirely true.
so yeah, stop your whining and bitching.. it was a good game, and although i dont like Italy, they played really well. and did deserve to win it. however, dont talk $hit about France… both teams diserve to be there
Posted from United States
Comments are closed
