French people everywhere will be hoping that St Denis rediscovers its glorious past when the World Cup final is played there in the Stade de France tomorrow evening. It was here, in the old basilica, that kings were crowned in medieval times.

The area, on the northern periphery of Paris, fell into recession this century, but has been regenerated with the construction of perhaps the world's finest stadium and two pristine new railway stations.

Brazil bar the way to the perfect ending for the hosts, but if Didier Deschamps is fated to become the first French captain to take possession of football's most prized trophy the coronation will be a hugely popular one. That is one aspect of the most important game to be played in four years. Another is what has sometimes appeared as a relentless march by the Brazilians to a fifth success in the championship - and the dream of emulating their first, celebrated success on European soil in Sweden in 1958.

Ever since, they have coveted the chance of repeating that victory and invalidating the theory that just as Europeans suffer on the other side of the Atlantic, South American teams are generally incapable of performing to their full potential in Europe. Viewed against that background, it can scarcely fail to captivate an attendance of 80,000 and a television audience expected to total 1.7 billion. And despite the doubts of the last 24 hours, the likelihood is that it will feature two of the game's the game's most riveting personalities, Ronaldo and Rivaldo.

Neither has trained since Brazil's semi-final win over Holland last Tuesday. In the case of Ronaldo there was, it seems, genuine cause for concern after the Brazilian medical officer reported yesterday that the player's ankle was still swollen.

Given the importance of the occasion, it is scarcely conceivable that he will be left out of the team, however, and the opposition is basing its strategy on the premise that they will have to plan for the presence of the man who has been named World Footballer Of The Year on two occasions.

The problems awaiting French manager Aime Jacquet are more complex. The loss through suspension of the team captain, Laurent Blanc can scarcely be overstated; and yet in Chelsea's Frank Leboeuf he has an option in central defence which is the envy of many other national team managers.

Less readily overcome will be the disturbing lack of a cutting edge in an attack which has been roundly condemned for its pitiful performance in each of the last three games. Some believe that if the French go on to lift the trophy they will have done so with he most limited front line of any successful team in the 68-year history of the competition.

For whatever reason, players like Stephane Guivarc'h, Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet have dwindled in the face of the biggest challenge of their careers. But an upbeat Jacquet refuses to acknowledge it as a crisis.

"We would, of course, like to see more goals from our strikers, but as long as others score there is no crisis," he told journalists. "Those who criticise our performances don't make allowance for the way our forwards have been marked so tightly.

"But that creates space for other players and it wasn't a coincidence that Lilian Thuram scored both our goals against Croatia. This is a team game and it doesn't matter who gets the goals as long as they go in."

Jacquet offered no hint as to who will spearhead the search for goals tomorrow but Christophe Dugarry may be in line for a recall.

Dugarry hasn't played since scoring in the opening game against South Africa and then departing prematurely with an injury. Significantly, however, he was asked to warm up in the closing stages of the semi-final against Croatia. In the event, he didn't get on as the team dug deep to survive the loss of Blanc for the last 15 minutes, but if Jacquet decides that the time for change has arrived he is likely to look again at the Marseilles player.

Brazil will be strengthened by the return from suspension of Cafu, but for them the biggest problem will be battling a partisan crowd and the manner in which match officials here have tended to be influenced by those seated in the safe remove of the stands.

It is a point which has not gone unnoticed by managers of teams which have already encountered France in the competition, but Zico, the illustrious Brazilian who now acts as assistant coach to the team, believes that the South Americans can surmount all difficulties. "Nothing will be allowed to distract us from winning the final," he said. "Every team which plays Brazil is highly motivated, but we are used to that pressure.

"We respect France as a team which has played well in the competition and its possible that they will be even better in the final. But Brazil never settle for second best - it is not in our character to do so."

After earlier doubts about the quality of their central defence, notably in their defeat by Norway, they have since answered almost all the questions asked of them, with Ronaldo at last delivering on his reputation in their semi-final meeting with Holland.

That, singly, was the most encouraging feature of the game for Mario Zagallo, their coach. Ronaldo's fitness is, therefore, a key factor. Bebeto, too, will be a man under pressure as Zagallo ponders the option provided by the immensely talented Denilson.

Midfield offers France their most realistic chance of going all the way to the title in their fairytale journey. To maximise this resource, however, they must be prepared to get players running from midfield - and that hasn't always been apparent in their six games to date.

Zinedine Zidane would normally be the one the most likely to do so, but on this occasion he must first find a way past the eminently-dependable Dunga.

It is this duel of two of football's most influential players which promises to provide some of the day's most illuminating moments. If Brazil are favourites to succeed, hope persists that the French may yet find the front-line power to bring their crusade for world acclaim to an appropriate finish.