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France looks to history for edge

France can turn to history for inspiration, having not lost to Italy since a 2-1 defeat at the 1978 World Cup and having knocked them out on penalties in the quarter-finals on their way to the title two years ago.

''We know they will be out for revenge,'' said midfielder Emmanuel Petit, who made no secret that he would have preferred to meet the Netherlands.

Fellow midfielder Patrick Vieira, who went through one frustrating season with A C Milan before joining Arsenal, said he did not like the way the Italians played.

''It's boring to watch,'' he said. ''All they do is defend and they just leave a few players up front do what they can.''

A watertight back four and tireless ball winners in midfield were instrumental in France's World Cup run. They might be even stronger now as Zidane is at the peak of his powers while Thierry Henry has matured into a world class striker.

But wing back Bixente Iizarazu warned an exciting display of fluent football was not to be expected.

''What they will do is try to stop us from playing our own game,'' he said, predicting another tense, close affair after France's hard-fought 2-1 win over Portugal in the semifinals.

''But we have demonstrated already that we had the mental strength to survive that type of situation.''

Petit was dreaming an appetising showdown with the Dutch would provide the final highlight of the tournament.

''It would have been the equivalent of our final against Brazil,'' he said, reviving sweet memories of a 3-0 defeat in which he scored a goal.

But Dugarry was not complaining, especially because he knew he would get a decent jersey after the final whistle.

''That orange dutch shirt is awful,'' he said. ''I'd much rather have a blue one.''

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