DUISBURG, Germany -- Italy's focus during this World Cup has been unrivaled, perhaps a necessity for players who don't know what's coming next.

No one has faced more uncertainty than Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero.

"I'm not thinking about the future right now, there's no reason to," Del Piero said. "The only future for me is Sunday."

Seeking its fourth title, Italy faces France in the World Cup final in Berlin on Sunday.

Sentences in a massive corruption scandal are expected a day later from a sports tribunal in Rome. Juventus faces the harshest penalties: relegation as far down as the third division and being stripped of its last two titles.

Del Piero has been with Juventus for 13 seasons and is the club's most popular player. He's not saying yet if he would stay in Turin if the team is relegated.

"Let's talk about that Monday," he said.

Against Germany in the semifinals, Del Piero came off the bench to score the second of Italy's two goals in the last minutes of an extra-time win. The goal was Del Piero's 27th in 78 matches for Italy, tying him with Roberto Baggio for fourth place on Italy's career list.

Del Piero said the goal was an answer to his critics, who have been targeting him since he took playing time away from Baggio in the 1998 World Cup. Lately, the wrap against Del Piero has been he's lost his speed and leg strength.

"They said I wasn't even half a player," Del Piero said Thursday. "I play with my head, my heart and my legs. It's not always easy to enter in the last 20 minutes, create three chances and score a goal."

Del Piero said France will have an advantage for the final because it's not under the same pressure as Italy.

"Because of what's happening to the clubs in Italy isn't happening in France," he said. "Because in France there's not this much media following the team. And unfortunately, because of the tragedy that has afflicted a teammate very close to me."

Former Juventus and Italy defender Gianluca Pessotto is in serious condition after falling out of a window at club headquarters, reportedly holding rosary beads.

Italy is hoping Pessotto's condition improves so he can watch the final on TV from his hospital room in Turin.

AP - Jul 4, 7:51 pm EDT
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Italy has its full squad available except for defender Alessandro Nesta, who will miss the final with a thigh injury. Nesta has missed Italy's last three games.

Midfielder Daniele De Rossi returns from a four-match ban for elbowing United States forward Brian McBride in the face during the first round, although he isn't expected to start.

The 1-1 draw with the Americans was Italy's only misstep in its six games. And the goal was an own-goal, the only one Italy has yielded.

France drew its opening two matches with Switzerland and South Korea.

"We've seen how France has improved as this World Cup has progressed, after the first two games below expectations," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said, also noting how France captain Zinedine Zidane has rediscovered his form.

"I think it will be a very even final between two teams that are even in terms of skill level."

The toughest facet of the game for Italy could be containing Zidane, who used to play under Lippi at Juventus.

Italy has faced Zidane's France in big games before and lost each time: in a penalty shootout in the 1998 World Cup quarterfinals and on a golden goal by David Trezeguet in the 2000 European Championship final.

Del Piero missed two clear scoring chances in the second half of the European final.

"No one suffered more than me in that match," Del Piero said. "But Sunday is a new game and a new battle."