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1st July 2000
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Match Preview from 365 staff - 1st July 2000
MATCH PREVIEW
THE KEY CLASHES IN THE FINAL...
FRENCH flair against Italian ingenuity is the recipe for a mouthwatering Euro 2000 final in Rotterdam tomorrow. The game has all the makings of a classic between two great European rivals. Have a look at our guide to the key player clashes and then e-mail us what you think will happen to <a href='mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]</a>
Didier Deschamps v Stefano Fiore
Deschamps is the most capped player in French history, winning his 100th in the semi-final victory over Portugal, while Fiore is a relative new kid on the Italian block. Deschamps is also the engine room of the French side; a box-to-box player who is equally adept at defending one moment and attacking the next. The veteran has also seen it and done it all before, and now needs just the European Championship crown to add to a string of medals won at both club and international level. Deschamps has twice won the Champions League with both Marseille and Juventus, as well as two French League titles, three Italian scudettos and one UEFA Super Cup, not forgetting the fact he captained France to World Cup glory in 1998.
What Fiore might lack in experience compared to Deschamps, he more than makes up for in talent as he possesses many similar qualities to the French legend. Despite playing for unfashionable Udinese, and only winning his first call up to the Italian squad in February, Fiore has earned his place in the side due to his creativity and astute passing ability.
Lilian Thuram v Paolo Maldini
Regarded as the most accomplished right and left backs in the world respectively, but both are more than just defenders. Thuram normally plays in the centre for club side Parma, alongside Fabian Cannavaro, but given the partnership of Laurent Blanc and Marcel Desailly, is forced to play on the right. This position allows him the opportunity to regularly push forward, at times operating like a winger, although his energy and strength - both in the air and on the ground - ensure he does not neglect his defensive duties.
However, has looked suspect at times during this tournament, particularly during the first half of the quarter-final against Spain when confronted by the pace of Pedro Munitis. Should Thuram find time and space down the right side, then veteran Maldini, who wins his 111th cap tomorrow - one short of coach Dino Zoff's record of 112 - will ultimately be in his way. Now in his 12th year on the international front with the Azzurri, Italy's highly-experienced captain has few - if any peers in the game today such is his stature and standing.
Also in his third European Championships, having also played in three World Cups, Maldini will be desperate to finally add an international honour to the six Italian League titles, three European Cups and two UEFA Super Cups he has won with AC Milan.
Zinedine Zidane v Luigi Di Biagio
Di Biagio faces the enviable task of shackling the player who has the unofficial tag of currently being the world's best. Zidane's mercurial talents have again shone throughout the tournament, thanks to a seemingly bottomless bag of tricks. His pace is frightening, while he has the ability to find his way out of seemingly impossible situations such is his superb close control and touch with the ball. Zidane is also cool under pressure, witness the accuracy of his 'golden goal' penalty to beat Portugal in the semi-final.
It will be Di Biagio's job to try to stifle the man who pulls the strings for France, given his destroying role in sitting in front of the two centre backs. The Inter Milan star possesses the ability to break up opposition attacks, make timely tackles and even get forward when needed.
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