Sheer hunger will decide final, says Lippi

Italian coach Marcello Lippi pushes a free-kick barrier during a training session in Duisburg on the eve of the World Cup 2006 final football match. Lippi says sheer hunger for success will be the deciding factor in Sunday's World Cup final against France.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi says sheer hunger for success will be the deciding factor in Sunday's World Cup final against France.

"Tomorrow we go to Berlin and we'll sit down at the table where everything will be laid out in front of us," said the 58-year-old at a press conference here on Saturday.

"Without sounding too presumptuous, there isn't much difference between the two teams. France are an excellent side with superb players, but our team is also strong.

"There are a lot of factors that will contribute to the outcome like organization and technical quality. But what it will come down to is which team has more hunger.

"In the French team there are players who have won the World Cup and European championship, while this generation of Italian players haven't even come close to winning something.

"That's what's on the table tomorrow, and we have our forks in our hand."

Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo believes his side have a healthier appetite than France because of their recent lack of success in major tournaments.

"It's going to be an incredibly tough match, but we have more hunger than they do," said the AC Milan midfielder.

Lippi said he expected France to be more difficult opponents than hosts Germany, who the Azzurri beat 2-0 in the semi-finals after extra-time.

"I would say France are better than Germany. Germany can be a team that goes on to be very successful. They're very young, but they don't yet have the experience that France has," he said.

Torrential rain in Berlin means that neither Italy or France can train on the Olympic stadium pitch before the final, but Lippi said FIFA had assured him the playing surface would be fine for Sunday's showpiece.

"We've been told that the pitch has been covered and that it will be in excellent condition for the final," he said.

Lippi then dismissed press speculation that he is interested in becoming the coach of English Premiership giants Manchester United.

When asked if he was going to Old Trafford, he replied: "All I'm interested in is winning the World Cup. It's pointless talking about these things.

"There's no truth in this story and you will find out where I am going in the next 15 to 20 days, maybe a month. But I'm certain it won't be Manchester."

Lippi's contract with Italy ends after the World Cup, but the Italian football federation are keen for him to stay on.