Willy Sagnol has hit back at criticism that World Cup finalists France and Italy have built their success on defensive football.

Sagnol was responding to critics including French legend Michel Platini.

"If you watch football closely you can only applaud France and Italy," Sagnol said.

"The supporters might want more action but those who truly watch appreciate it."

Asked about Platini's criticisms, Sagnol said: "He (Platini) was a number 10 when football was different and the team has evolved.

"In the same way Brazil have changed from 40 years ago, France played more attacking football in 1986 but nowadays the team goes further."

The defender also believes Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry's willingness to shoulder a defensive burden is one of the reasons that Les Bleus are now just one game away from a second World Cup final victory in eight years.

Zidane, who will retire after Sunday's Berlin final with Italy, and Henry are the two most attacking players in the 4-2-3-1 line-up coach Raymond Domenech has fielded in the three knockout matches so far.

However, Sagnol was keen to stress that the star pair's willingness to take on defensive duties has been a key factor in the progress of Les Bleus since the tournament entered the last 16 phase.

"We don't have an iron defence," said Sagnol when asked if the back four was the key to France's wins over Spain, Brazil and Portugal.

"We have a very high-performing defensive block when everyone just sticks together.

"When you see Zizou (Zidane) and Henry defending rather than attacking, that's something that needs to be underlined," said Sagnol at the Rattenfanger Halle in Hamlyn which France have used as a press centre since arriving in Germany on June 8.

"Everyone talks about what Zidane and Henry can do in attack but there is not enough emphasis on their defensive work.

"I don't think we could ask Thierry Henry to defend like that all his career - he would be worn out - but in this sort of competition it's something we have to do.

"Titi (Henry) does it very well and that's why I hope France will win on Sunday and give him the win he deserves."

Sagnol admits the team were transformed by the 2-0 win over Togo which saw them qualify for the last 16.

He continued: "After our two draws (with Switzerland and Togo) we discussed as a group where we needed to improve and to find a solution.

"The Togo match was difficult to approach and we knew what was happening (fears of failing to qualify) outside.

"But it finally liberated us and allowed us to lay the ghost of 2002, that was more important than anything."

In 2002 France, as defending world champions, were eliminated at the first hurdle without scoring a goal or winning a match.

Sagnol, who in a previous Hamlyn press conference berated the French press in a lengthy diatribe for supposedly undermining Les Bleus, admitted morale had been transformed by knockout phase wins over Spain, Brazil and Portugal.

"The good performances have made things easier for us at last," said the Bayern Munich defender. "But the way we have lived together as a group has always been the same.

"We said that at the time but no-one was listening. Now we don't need to analyse the game as much, we have found the right formula and we must make sure we continue for at least 90 minutes more."

Coach Raymond Domenech has not changed his starting line-up since the knockout phase began and looks set to persist with it against Italy.

That would mean Henry operating as a lone striker with midfield support from Zidane, Franck Ribery and Florent Malouda.

Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele would operate as more defensive midfielders while goalkeeper Fabien Barthez would play behind a back four featuring Sagnol, Lilian Thuram, William Gallas and Eric Abidal.

Asked how he would savour any French victory on Sunday, Sagnol could not resist another dig at the knockers.

"We will celebrate with the people who believed in us and were with us from the start," said Sagnol who was no part of the 1998 team."

Asked if the adverse criticism earlier in the tournament had helped motivate Les Bleus, Sagnol said: "It would be too easy for them if I was to say that was true."