The coach was sure to get some insider information, however, with three of his players -- Juninho, Cris and Fred -- currently on the roster of five-time defending French league champion Lyon.

France, which was expected to be at full strength on Saturday, has defeated Brazil twice in the three times they've face each other in the World Cup.

In addition to the 1998 final, it eliminated Brazil in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, winning on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw.

Brazil's only win was in 1958, when Pele scored three goals in a 5-2 victory in Sweden.

Brazil and France have played twice since the 1998 final, with France winning 2-1 in the 2001 Confederations Cup in South Korea and then playing to a 0-0 draw in a 2004 friendly in Paris.

Despite the loss in 1998, the Brazilians say revenge is not an issue in Saturday's match.

"There's no atmosphere of revenge. We don't think about this here," Parreira said. "We will be playing France in another decisive match, like it was against Ghana."

Brazil captain Cafu agreed.

"We can't think like this," he said. "That we need to win in 2006 because we lost in 1998, it doesn't work that way."

Ronaldo, who scored against Ghana to become the tournament's all-time leading scorer with 15 goals, had unexplained convulsions in the hours leading up to the 1998 final and played poorly.

Zidane, on the other hand, was crucial, scoring twice to end Brazil's title hopes.

"I hope he makes his last World Cup match on Saturday," said Brazil's assistant coach Mario Zagallo, who in 1998 was Brazil's manager. "I don't know if it's going to be his last (career) match, but I hope it's his last match at this World Cup."