Patrick Vieira mentioned the war yesterday. Three days before France's potentially explosive opening game with England in Lisbon the midfielder said of the fixture: "Ca va etre la guerre contre Angleterre". . . "It is going to be war against England."

Vieira made the remark in an interview with France Soir newspaper, so the tone of what he said is uncertain.

But it is an unfortunate choice of phrasing from the Arsenal captain, who must understand the sensitivity of such words after nearly eight years in England.

Vieira was most conciliatory and diplomatic with the English press yesterday morning - la guerre was definitely not on the agenda - because he is fully aware of the hype surrounding the game.

With France likely to have a minimum of seven players who have played or continue to play their club football in England, Vieira knows the atmosphere will be akin to a mini local derby.

"Everyone will defend their colours," he told France Soir. "It's going to be war. If Sol (Campbell) has to tackle Titi (Thierry Henry), do you think he's going to shirk, to go easy on him? Of course not, it's far too important.

"The two teams absolutely want to win; the English for their pride, because they want to show all of us who play in their country that they're still the best. And us, if we have to go back to England having lost, we're going to suffer.

"It's going to be a competitive game, but it's not going to degenerate into anything silly. There's respect as well as admiration between us. Having said that, no-one will be holding back, even if I'm facing Ashley (Cole) or Sol."

As holders, France will certainly not be holding back. "We are defending our title and we want to forget our disaster at the last World Cup," Vieira said to the English media, but evidence of his regard for England was also present.

"You people in England forget how very good you are. You did really well at the World Cup and lost to Brazil, who won it. You need to believe, but you also have to give the team a chance.

"There are big expectations, but they are a really good young team. They need time to develop. I don't know what they're saying about this match because we're a bit disconnected from the outside world at the moment and we don't have much time to listen to the news.

"We (French and English players) know each other pretty well and we're aware they're not guys to be taken lightly."

Defender Lilian Thuram, who will earn his 100th cap on Sunday, added: "We're preparing for this match with all the due respect.

"A lack of respect would be the best way to go to defeat. My hundredth cap means nothing regarding the importance of the first match."

Playmaker Zinedine Zidane is also under no illusions: "We'll have to be at 100 per cent if we want to get a good result. They can rely on outstanding players in the midfield. I like (Paul) Scholes' way of playing."