It is an indication of how far Italy and France have fallen since they contested that tempestuous World Cup final two years ago that, before tonight's rematch, both camps are more concerned by Holland's match against with Romania. Marco van Basten's side are guaranteed top spot in group C after beating the World Cup finalists by an aggregate score of 7-1 in their opening two matches and will eliminate two of their leading rivals by succumbing to Romania. Such circumstances have not gone unnoticed.

As one would expect from the land of Machiavelli and, more recently, calciopolli, it is Roberto Donadoni's side who are more agitated about the potential for skulduggery, confirming that it takes one to know one. The Italians have gone so far as to invent their own word for any Dutch-Romanian conspiracy, biscotto. For those without a sweet tooth, a biscotto is an ice-cream sandwich, a slippery substance in which the ice-cream (France and Italy) can be squeezed out by the two biscotti (Holland and Romania).

That Italy's players are openly discussing the prospect of being eliminated in such an unsavoury manner does not say much for their state of mind, but it is understandable given their bitter experience at Euro 2004, when they were knocked out despite beating Bulgaria in the final group match because a 2-2 draw between Denmark and Sweden took both Scandinavian sides through.

“The biscotto is a nuisance, something that is in your head, because even during the game you are always thinking a little bit about the other result,” Daniele De Rossi, the Roma midfield player said. “It is important for us to think only about our game, as the Netherlands can win 10-0, but if we do not win it is no good. Seeing Romania win would make me very mad, but it would be worse if they don't win and we can't manage to beat France.”

Such is the level of concern that Arrigo Sacchi, one of the grand old men of Italian football, was yesterday moved to write an open letter to Van Basten in Gazzetta dello Sport in which he urged his former AC Milan striker to lead his side to victory over Romania. Van Basten is a former team-mate of Donadoni, the Italy coach, with both players brought to Milan by Sacchi.

“We're hoping, dear Marco, to thank you not only for the beautiful soccer that your team is displaying, but also for the favour you could do for your old team-mate Roberto [Donadoni] and all your Italian admirers,” Sacchi wrote. “With respect, admiration and friendship, Arrigo.”

Van Basten will make wholesale changes, if only to prevent his key players being booked, but Gianluigi Buffon is confident that Holland will try to win the game. “I couldn't stand another fixed match like that draw between Denmark and Sweden,” the Italy goalkeeper said. “I trust in the sportsmanship of the Dutch and I also hope Van Basten remembers he is a friend of Donadoni's and of Italy in general.

“We have to go out there and play the match of our lives. I didn't understand the maths, but from what they tell me, we have a slightly better chance than France.”

Italy have an advantage in that a score draw would take them through in the event of a Holland win, whereas France must win to have any hope of reaching the quarter-finals. Raymond Domenech, the France coach, sounded like a beaten man yesterday, raising the prospect of planning for the future by throwing in young players such as Karim Benzema, Samir Nasri and Lassana Diarra.

“There could be a strategy for the future by abandoning the idea of qualifying and giving playing time to other players,” Domenech said. “It's obvious that this Euro enables certain players to experience the very highest level, but do we risk everything by throwing a young generation into the fore?”