Domenech predicts battle

France next play the Netherlands in Berne on Friday before completing the first round against world champions Italy in Zurich four days later.

"It will be a battle until the very end, we've known that from the start," Domenech said. "I've been saying since the draw the group would be complicated with solid, well-organised and well-prepared teams.

"I would have preferred to win 10-0 but football is not like that. Playing the Dutch and Italy won't be easy but it won't be easy for them either to play France."

The 2006 World Cup runners-up failed to unlock unfancied Romania's compact defence and hardly created a chance.

"This match was difficult for us and for Romania," said Domenech. "Romania will give all the teams problems."

France looked slow and short of ideas on a hot, stormy evening in Zurich.

"We were not fresh enough," said Domenech. "It was hot which is not an advantage for teams trying to play fast.

"We could not express ourselves fully because we did not want to give them opportunities to counter attack. It was tight, tense. First matches are often like that."

Domenech, whose side recovered from a sluggish start to reach the 2006 World Cup final, is hoping striker Thierry Henry and captain Patrick Vieira will return after injury against the Dutch.

Romania coach Victor Piturca said: "Personally I would have wanted the three points since France may no longer be at the level they used to be. You could see that today.

"Our goal was three points but in the end it was a fair result."