Dominici feeling the pressure as Stade seek first European Cup
The Parisians will meet their arch-rivals Toulouse in an all-French final after ousting Biarritz in the semi-final last month.
“This week is completely different,” conceded Dominici. “The guys are tense, pressure is coming up and there is no real moment of relaxation like we have ahead of a normal match.
“Everything we do and say is more or less related to the final. Everything changes.”
This is Stade Francais’ first European Cup final since 2001 when they were beaten 34-30 by Leicester.
The club lacks a European title and Dominici is hopeful that this will change at Murrayfield.
“There are a lot of players in the team who have been crowned French champions once, twice, three or four times,” said the France international.
“But a European title is a fantastic achievement for a team. We have never had that privilege and happiness.
“I think the 2001 final came too early for the club, it was only our third appearance in the competition. We did not have enough experience.”
The two sides have met twice this campaign with the capital club losing 32-16 in the first match last November before thrashing their southern rivals 40-19 at the end of April.
And Dominici believes that while Toulouse will again provide tough opposition, the final will be decided on a number of different factors.
“People say that the final will be tight,” said Dominici. “But everything will count, such as combativeness, the goalkickers’ abilities, or the control on the game.
“But at the end of the day, what’s most important for a final of such a high calibre, is the victory no matter how good the players were individually or whether we scored one, three or 10 tries.
“Facing Toulouse in a final is always complicated. They are a creative, collective and regular team.
“As far as we are concerned we have a good attack but we are less efficient in defence. However, in all tight matches it is the defence which makes the difference.
“But anyway Toulouse is the best French and European side when they manage to develop their game the way they want and attack.”
Toulouse, who won the event in 1996 and 2003 and were beaten finalists last season, will start favourites but could be deprived of their key fly-half Frederic Michalak, who is suffering from an ankle injury.
“I have a lot of respect for Fred,” added Dominici.
“Being young with so many responsibilities as a number 10 is something.
“He was criticised, then praised and spent the 2005 Six Nations tournament as a substitute but remained very humble about it.
“We all know his talent but what should be outlined the most is his stamina and his courage.
“I don’t know what he suffers from exactly but I know he is capable of suffering and overcoming the pain.
“I hope he can sample such a rare experience (the final).”
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