Every one of Italy's outfield players in their squad of 23 have seen action at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™. Only substitute goalkeepers Angelo Peruzzi and Marco Amelia have still to take part in the competition.

For France three outfield players (all defenders) have been idle so far – Jean-Alain Boumsong, Pascal Chimbonda and Gael Givet- as well as their two replacement keepers, Gregory Coupet and Mickael Landreau.

Only Spain can improve on Italy's numbers – they used 22 players in their four games with Santiago Canizares replacing Iker Casillas in goal as coach Luis Aragones changed all 11 starters for the final group game against Saudi Arabia.

A look back at previous finalists shows that most teams who reach the last stage have called on virtually all of their playing resources. In 2002 champions Brazil used 21 of their 23 players, and Germany 19. In 1998 champions France used 20 of their 22 players, Brazil 19. In 1994 champions Brazil used 18 of their 22 players, while Italy used two more. In 1990 champions Germany used only 17 of their 22 players, Argentina 19.

Some of Italy's changes were forced upon coach Marcello Lippi by the dismissals of Daniele Rossi and Marco Materazzi. The injury to Alessandro Nesta in the game with Czech Republic also caused a re-think while Lippi – a manager who normally does not like to make too many changes - was restricted in his selection for the opening game against Ghana because Gianluca Zambrotta and Gennaro Gattuso were not fully fit.

They have since become first-choice members of the side, as has Mauro Camoranesi. Another change has seen the abandonment of the twin-striker partnership of Luca Toni and Alberto Gilardino.

France's changes have been more straightforward: Frank Ribery forcing his way in and Florent Malouda now preferred to Sylvain Wiltord. Mikael Silvestre and David Trezeguet came in for the final group game against Togo when Eric Abidal and Zinedine Zidane were suspended.