Domenech refuses to feel the pressure

RAYMOND Domenech has told France’s players the pressure must come from within for their make-or-break World Cup play-off against Ireland.

Domenech has been under immense pressure following France’s poor group campaign, where they lost out to Serbia for the automatic qualifying spot.

The 1998 world champions are likely to face a tough night at Croke Park, Ireland having impressed under coach Giovanni Trapattoni.

The France coach said on www.fff.fr: “Saturday is not very far. The match is coming up little by little. I don’t want it (the pressure) to build up.

“The pressure – well, it’s internal. If the players don’t have it inside them, which is what I told them at the outset, it means we’re cheating ourselves, that we’ve got nothing to do here.

“It’s not worth insisting on it. There are matches which don’t need external pressure. It’s here – the players want to go to the World Cup.

“If they are not motivated, prepared and don’t have the desire to put themselves in the right conditions... well, I’m sorry, there’s nothing more to add.

“They are ready. It’s not worth adding an excess of pressure.”

Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra joined up with the squad after playing in the Copa Del Rey last night, but Abou Diaby and Jeremy Toulalan are doubtful.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had ruled Diaby out of contention after he injured his calf against Wolves last weekend, but the France medical staff declared him fit to stay with the squad.

Meanwhile, Bordeaux playmaker Yoann Gourcuff is confident France will not be affected by the occasion or what is sure to be a hostile atmosphere at Croke Park.

The 23-year-old told fifa.com: “Yes, they are fantastic occasions – and the fans over there usually inspire the players to play above themselves.

“But what we need to do now is make sure we don’t let the stakes affect the way we play or let the game just pass us by.

“It’s important we prepare ourselves physically and mentally.

“That’s the only way we’ll be able to play our game and come away from Ireland with a good result. The atmosphere at St Denis will be just as electric as at Croke Park, and I hope our supporters can push us all the way to South Africa.”

Gourcuff is also sure France will be able to cope with the physical style of the Republic.

“You have to respect their strength,” he continued.

“They also play a British-style game, so we’ll be expecting lots of commitment and intensity.

“What we have to do more than anything else is just play our game.

“Physical battles are part of football, and we can’t avoid them.

“If we are going to impose our style, we need to win as many of them as possible.”