Zinedine Zidane and Christian Vieri carry the burden of their nations' hopes of success ahead of the classic tie in Paris's Stade de France.

Zidane returns from a two-match suspension to tackle the Italians he torments on a weekly basis for Juventus while Vieri seeks his sixth goal of the competition to become only the fourth man in history to score in five successive World Cup matches. ``We all know how important Zizou is,'' said French captain Didier Deschamps, who plays alongside Zidane at Juve. ``Our attacking game depends almost entirely on him.''

Defensive midfielder Emmanuel Petit explained why.

``When somebody does not know what to do with the ball, he gives it to Zizou and he finds out instantly what the best solution is,'' Petit said.

Vieri is a different player altogether. Big, blunt andbuilt like a bulldozer, he has crashed through every defence he has faced so far to carry Italy through to the last eight.

One more goal and he will have equalled the mark set by one of his childhood heroes Rossi, who scored six times in an electrifying three consecutive matches as Italy won the World Cup in 1982.

Vieri, a former team-mate of Zidane's at Juventus, remembers the Frenchman with admiration and affection. ``Zidane is a world class player in every sense, technically, physically and mentally,'' the Italian said. ``We had a great understanding both on and off the pitch during the time I was at Juventus.''

Zidane and Veiri will not be the only friends facing each other across the national divide in tomorrow's match. Eleven members of the French squad have experience of Serie A and seven are currently based there.

France's Marcel Desailly meets his AC Milan team mates Paolo Maldini, and Alessandro Costacurta. If Youri Djorkaeff weaves his way past Italy fullback Giuseppe Bergomi he will stillhave to beat a third Inter Milan player, goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca. Lilian Thuram will defend one goal while his Parma team mate Fabio Cannavaro will defend the other.With both sides aware of each others abilities and shortfalls, both are expecting a tight, tactical match.

The one area where Italy have a tangible advantage is injuries. Italy have none while the French have problems in attack.

Christophe Dugarry is still nursing a torn thigh muscle while young Thierry Henry, France's top World Cup scorer with three goals, is a doubtful starter because of a strained left ankle.

Henry said he felt no pain after a run-out yesterday but will only resume ball training today. His absence would give coach Aime Jacquet little choice but to field 20-year-old David Trezeguet from the start.

Italy coach Cesare Maldini is likely to make a few tactical changes to the side which beat Norway in the second round. Gianluca Pessotto looks set to start in place of Demetrio Albertini in midfield with Angelo di Liviodue to replace Francesco Moriero on the right flank.

Alessandro del Piero will start alongside Vieri in attack with Roberto Baggio once again on the substitutes' bench. Tomorrow's clash will be the 31st between the two neighbours.Their World Cup ties have been few and far between.

Probable line-ups

France: 16-Fabien Barthez; 15-Lilian Thuram, 5-Laurent Blanc, 8-Marcel Desailly, 3-Bixente Lizarazu, 7-Didier Deschamps (captain), 17-Emmanuel Petit, 6-Youri Djorkaeff, 11-Robert Pires, 10-Zinedine Zidane, 20-David Trezeguet.

Italy: 12-Gianluca Pagliuca; 5-Alessandro Costacurta, 3-Paolo Maldini (captain), 2-Giuseppe Bergomi, 4-Fabio Cannavaro; 11-Dino Baggio, 7-Gianluca Pessotto, 14-Luigi di Biagio, 15-Angelo di Livio; 10-Alessandro del Piero, 21-Christian Vieri.