France and Italy walked out for their trans-Alpine clash at Zurich's Letzigrund knowing their Euro 2008 fate lay in the hands of Romania.
If the Romanians were to defeat Group C winners Holland in Bern in tonight's other pool match, the two finalists at the 2006 World Cup would be eliminated.
If Romania, a point clear in second, drew or lost against the Dutch, the winner of the France-Italy match would qualify as runners-up.
France coach Raymond Domenech reverted to a 4-4-2 and dropped captain Lilian Thuram in one of three changes to the team that were walloped 4-1 by Holland on Friday.
Eric Abidal, a left-back by trade, came in at centre-back as Thuram's replacement, while Francois Clerc got the nod over Willy Sagnol at right-back and striker Karim Benzema replaced left-winger Florent Malouda.
World champions Italy made two changes following their 1-1 draw against Romania, Antonio Cassano ousting fellow forward Alessandro Del Piero and midfield enforcer Gennaro Gattuso replacing Mauro Camoranesi.
France: Coupet, Clerc, Gallas, Abidal, Evra, Govou, Toulalan, Makelele, Ribery, Benzema, Henry. Subs: Mandanda, Frey, Boumsong, Vieira, Malouda, Anelka, Nasri, Thuram, Squillaci, Gomis, Sagnol, Diarra.
Italy: Buffon, Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso, Pirlo, De Rossi, Gattuso, Toni, Perrotta, Cassano. Subs: Amelia, De Sanctis, Gamberini, Barzagli, Del Piero, Di Natale, Borriello, Ambrosini, Quagliarella, Camoranesi, Aquilani, Materazzi.
