It is being billed as a grudge match. The French sporting press with its predilection for using English expressions are calling it “le remake.” Less than two months after Italy beat France in the 2006 World Cup final on penalty kicks, they meet Wednesday in Euro 2008 qualifying at the Stade de France (TV: Setanta Sports USA, live, 3 pm ET).
Neither of the two actors in the notorious headbutt incident involving Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi in overtime of the Berlin final will be playing. Zidane has retired; Materazzi is serving the second game of his two-game suspension for provoking Zidane. Even two months later, the incident remained very much in the news with Materazzi revealing yesterday that after relentless shirt-pulling, Zidane told him that he could have his shirt at the end of the match and he replied, “I would prefer your sister.”
Many of the other players from the 2006 final will be playing in the Group B qualifier in St. Denis. France coach Raymond Domenech is expected to start nine starters from the 2006 final with Gregory Coupet taking over for Fabien Barthez in goal and Louis Saha starting up front in the 4-4-2 formation France has been using since Zidane’s retirement. Two players not on Italy’s World Cup roster should start against France: Franco Semioli in midfield and Antonio Cassano between the midfield and lone striker Antonio Gilardino.
The indecisive nature of the 2006 final — Italy won in a shootout, though France had a clear edge in play — has resulted in verbal volleying between the two camps. The French feel they should have won the World Cup, to which Italian midfielder Gennaro Gattuso responded, “I know we usually complain after losses, but they do it even more. Italy is second to France in that.”
Gattuso tried to downplay the rematch. “In Paris, it will be a match, not a war,” Gattuso told the French daily L’Equipe. As for the Bleus, they acknowledge that victory won’t change anything. “Even if we win,” said Lilian Thuram, “it won’t bring the [World] Cup our way.” Added striker Thierry Henry, “this can’t be revenge.”
Emotions surrounding the game were tempered by the news that former Italy captain Giacinto Facchetti died of cancer on Monday at the age of 64. Facchetti starred for Inter Milan in the 1960s and most recently served as its president. He was famous as an attacking left back during a period in the 1960s when Italy’s catenaccio defensive tactics reigned supreme. The Italian national team will wear black arm bands for Wednesday’s qualifier.
(Click here for a complete listing of Wednesday Euro 2008 qualifiers on television — cable and pay per view.)