War of words before Italy-France tie

“The hype surrounding this game doesn’t surprise me. The memory of July 9 is still within all of us,” Italy forward Alessandro Del Piero said, recalling the date last year when Italy beat France on penalties in the World Cup final.

In an interview published August 9 in Le Parisien, Domenech was quoted as saying there had been a “bought referee” for a match between France’s youth squad—which he coached — and Italy during a qualifier for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

“I’ve rarely been so ripped off,” Domenech was quoted as saying. “When you get fooled once, there’s always a doubt (afterward). There are arrangements in Italian soccer.”

After the ban was upheld on appeal, Domenech stood by his words. “I said what I thought I had to say,” he said.

France beat Italy 3-1 at home a year ago — two months after the World Cup—and leads Group B of Euro 2008 qualifying with 18 points. Italy is next with 16 points, followed by Scotland with 15 and Ukraine with 12.

“There’s tension and plenty of motivation—starting with the importance of getting three points,” Del Piero said. “We’re not letting ourselves get distracted, although these accusations—which are pretty much daily—do bother us.”

With Luca Toni suffering from a thigh injury, Del Piero could start in Italy’s attack. Filippo Inzaghi is likely to spearhead the Azzurri line-up if Toni doesn’t play.

Toni underwent an MRI Thursday and team physician Andrea Ferretti said the situation had “improved.”

“Tomorrow we’ll make a definitive decision,” Ferretti said. “Personally, I’m optimistic — on principle.”

Meanwhile, France forward Thierry Henry will aim to match Michel Platini’s national scoring record. With 40 goals, Henry needs only one more tally to equal the current UEFA president.

France is worried about a problem with captain Patrick Vieira’s thigh. The bigger problem might be Domenech’s absence from the sideline. Domenech was asked how he would communicate with the squad from the tribune. “I could send text messages, but I don’t know how it works,” he said jokingly, adding that he would use “telepathy”.

Assistant coach Pierre Mankowski will stand in for Domenech. Also missing will be Italy defender Marco Materazzi, who is recovering from thigh surgery.

Materazzi, the recipient of Zinedine Zidane’s head butt in the World Cup final, also sat out the last time Italy met France. He was suspended for provoking Zidane.

This time his absence could weigh heavily, with Alessandro Nesta having retired from international play. Andrea Barzagli or Christian Panucci is likely to get the starting nod alongside Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro. France defenders William Gallas and Willy Sagnol are also injured.

Other matches

Group A: Serbia vs Finland; Portugal vs Poland

Group B: Scotland vs Lithuania; Georgia vs Ukraine; Italy vs France

Group C: Hungary vs Bosnia-Herzegovina; Malta vs Turkey; Moldova vs Norway

Group D: San Marino vs Czech Republic; Slovakia vs Ireland; Wales vs Germany

Group E: Russia vs Republic of Macedonia; England vs Israel; Croatia vs Estonia

Group F: Latvia vs Northern Ireland; Sweden vs Denmark; Iceland vs Spain

Group G: Luxembourg vs Slovenia; Belarus vs Romania; Holland vs Bulgaria