The stakes ahead of Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier between Italy and France have just reached the skies, with Lassana Diarra branding the Italians as "cheats and provokers."
"Everyone knows the reputation the Italians have is of cheats and provokers," he told the Gazzetta dello Sport, holding little back.
"The important thing is not to fall into their traps. I am a black man and in Italy we often get insulted, not just by the fans, but also by the players.
"Having said that, the situation does seem to be improving."
"It doesnÂ’t matter whether or not Domenech will be on the bench, because he will follow us until the last minute and then his staff know what to do," he continued, expressing confidence on France's prospects.
"Italy have Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo, but we have Claude Makelele and Vieira. I really donÂ’t think the Azzurri have the stronger pairing."
He ended on a worrying, yet, under the circumstances, a very realistic note: "It will be difficult at San Siro, because the atmosphere will be very tense."
The stewards will most certainly be out in numbers!
However, there's no need to play mind games as Italy isn't a good team anyway, they were just lucky to win the World Cup. 
