No revenge over Italy, say France

PARIS, Sep 4 (Reuters) France's top players have insisted they will not be out for revenge when they host Italy in Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier, two months after losing to them in the World Cup final.

The two sides meet again in Paris for a showcase qualifier in Group B, with the backdrop provided by Italy's victory on penalties in Berlin on July 9.

''You can't wipe away the past. Nobody will make us forget about that final,'' said defender Lilian Thuram. ''Even if we win on Wednesday it won't bring the cup our way.'' Striker Thierry Henry was on the same wavelength, saying: ''This can't be revenge. By coming to Paris, Italy will not be putting their title at stake. A new campaign is starting and it has nothing to do with the previous one.

''What only matters now is to take three points because everything will count in such a tough group.'' Ukraine, Scotland, Georgia, Lithuania and Faroe Islands complete the group.

Two of the main characters of the Berlin final will be absent at the Stade de France on Wednesday.

France will be without retired number 10 Zinedine Zidane who stunned French fans by getting sent off for a head-butt on defender Marco Materazzi.

The Inter Milan libero was suspended for two matches by FIFA's disciplinary committee who found him guilty of insulting Zidane during the final.

WITHOUT ZIDANE Though France players have said they miss their former playmaker, they have also shown they are learning to live without him.

A friendly victory in Bosnia was followed by a winning start to Euro 2008 qualifying with a morale-boosting 3-0 defeat of Georgia in Tbilisi last weekend.

Coach Raymond Domenech dropped the sophisticated 4-2-3-1 line-up designed for Zidane and shifted back to a traditional 4-4-2 in which the playmaking duties are shared between two or three midfielders.

''What we achieved during the World Cup helped us regain the confidence we badly lacked in 2002 and 2004,'' Henry said.

''Now we are playing like a team again. There is a great solidarity inside the squad. Everyone works for everyone else.

''Taking on Italy is not like taking on any other side. It always means something special to us. I overcame my disappointment. When you play football you have to learn to lose even when you don't deserve it.'' Striker Louis Saha, who scored France's second goal in Tbilisi, and midfielder Claude Makelele are doubtful because of sore ankles.

A cautious Domenech hinted he will wait until Tuesday's training session to make up his mind about the starting team.

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni has failed to win either of his opening two games since taking over from World Cup winner Marcello Lippi.

A third-string Azzurri line-up lost 2-0 to Croatia in a friendly in August before Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Lithuania in their first Euro 2008 qualifier.

Donadoni has been criticised for his selection choices and tactics, which have cut across the approach successfully taken by Lippi, and suggested that some changes are likely.

''The formation doesn't count for much, it is important that the team are compact and tight,'' he said.

''Against Lithuania I picked those players who had the most football under their belts and were in the best condition. I will weigh up some eventual alterations for Wednesday.'' REUTERS PDS PM1909