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No goals and no surprises for France

Raymond Domenech said France's 0-0 draw against Italy was "predictable" while his opposite number Roberto Donadoni was "satisfied with the result".

Raymond Domenech admitted France's 0-0 draw against Italy was "predictable" while his opposite number Roberto Donadoni was "satisfied with the result".

'At least two points'
Banned from the touchline after making inappropriate remarks in a newspaper interview, Domenech watched from the sidelines in Milan and concluded after the game: "The Italians wanted, first of all, to avoid defeat - that's the reason why the game was tight. We had the same aim. It's the reason why such a result was almost predictable. It could have been sealed on a set-piece or a counterattack but to take at least two points from them was our target. This will only be a good result if we beat Scotland on Wednesday"

Scotland next
France are a point ahead of Scotland at the top of the section, and take on Alex McLeish's side at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday. Italy are a further point adrift of Scotland as they prepare for a tough trip to face Ukraine. Donadoni was nonetheless satisfied with the draw against France. "We did our best given our situation," he said. "To get a point against a team whose championship is already in the seventh round of matches is good.

Toni withdrawn
"Their physical condition is certainly better than ours," he added. "Maybe in two months time I would think differently, but right now this is the best we could have done." Germany-based Luca Toni and Marco Materazzi both missed the game, with the former now being replaced by Vincenzo Iaquinta in the squad to face Ukraine. "I am really sorry about not having Toni, because he was a man I could have done with tonight," said Donadoni, adding: "That is no criticism of Filippo Inzaghi, because if I was not happy to have any player here, I would not have selected them."

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