Italy coach Marcello Lippi has admitted he is worried about the form of Zinedine Zidane ahead of Sunday's World Cup final against France.

The veteran playmaker performed poorly in the group stage of the tournament, but has since produced some inspirational displays to guide Les Bleus to the final.

Lippi worked with Zidane when he was in his prime at Juventus and is well aware of the damage the 34-year-old could do to the Azzurri's hopes of a first World Cup triumph since 1982.

"It will be a difficult game, yet certainly a balanced one seeing as both sides equal each other on the pitch," said Lippi, after watching France's 1-0 semi-final victory against Portugal.

"We saw the game and it confirmed to us how much France have grown in the tournament since their first two games.

"As they have gone on, they have found their best condition and have rediscovered their best Zidane.

"Nevertheless, we're going for victory."

The match will be a rerun of the Euro 2000 final, which France came from behind to win 2-1 thanks to a last-minute equaliser from Sylvain Wiltord and a golden goal by David Trezeguet.