Domenech facing ban, injury problems against Italy in Euro 2008 qualifier

CLAIREFONTAINE, France (AP) — France will be without key players and its coach Raymond Domenech will be sitting in the stands when Les Bleus play Italy in a crucial European Championship qualifier.

Defenders William Gallas and Willy Sagnol are both injured, and captain Patrick Vieira is struggling to overcome a thigh injury to be ready in time for Saturday's Group B match in Milan's San Siro stadium.

"William is a mainstay in the team," France winger Franck Ribery said Tuesday. "He is someone who does a lot of good at the back. I hope Patrick (Vieira) will be there the day of the match. He's very important for the group."

Domenech said Vieira's situation is "evolving every day" and that he is "optimistic" the Inter Milan midfielder will be ready.

"If Patrick gives me an hour at the level he did against Slovakia, that suits me," Domenech said.

Domenech, meanwhile, will not be in his customary role in the team dugout.

On Tuesday, UEFA's appeals body upheld a one-match ban imposed on Domenech for accusing Italy of fixing an Olympic qualifying match in 1999.

UEFA said he brought the game into disrepute by making the comments in an interview with French daily Le Parisien published Aug. 9. Domenech was quoted as saying there had been a "bought referee" for a match between France's youth squad - which he coached - and Italy during a qualifier for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

"The coach is very important," Ribery said at France's training camp in Clairefontaine. "To see him in the dressing room, to know that he is there with us. We will just have to deal with it."

Domenech said his absence could help the team pull closer together.

"I think it could be an interesting experience," Domenech said. "If they are able to show they are able to take charge of themselves on the field."

France tops Group B with 18 points from seven matches - including a 3-1 home win over Italy a year ago. Domenech will be back on the touchline for Wednesday's home match against Scotland, the only team to have beaten Les Bleus in the group so far.

"For me, the most important match is Scotland," Domenech said. "If we don't beat Scotland, it's bad for us."

Two wins would put France in a commanding position by distancing its main rivals.

"To take at least four points would be good," Ribery said. "A draw in Italy and to beat Scotland. They (Italy), have to beat us ... we need to get a point to stay in control of our group."

If Vieira fails to recover in time, Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra could win his fourth cap in central midfield, where he would likely be up against Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso.

"They will want to beat us," Diarra said Tuesday. "It's true that the pressure is on them. Right from the start we will have to show we're present. They will want to score quickly. It will be a real physical combat."

In the absence of Gallas, who has a groin injury, Barcelona defender Eric Abidal could play alongside veteran Lilian Thuram at center half and Julien Escude may take Abidal's customary position at left back.

Escude said it will be essential that France stays vigilant.

"We know the Italian game," Escude said. "They wait for the right moment, find the weakness."

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