FRANCE coach Raymond Domenech is treating next week's international friendly against England as a more important game than any of Les Bleus' other warm-up matches before Euro 2008.

France will play a double-header against Mali and England next Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, before taking on Ecuador, Paraguay and Colombia in the space of eight days just before the start of the Euros.

There is no doubt in Domenech's mind which game is the most crucial.

'For me, the three friendly matches before the European Championships kick-off will serve as preparation,' he said.

'But that is not the case against England. Against the English, we will have to put ourselves in a situation as if we are competing in the Euros.'

France, World Cup finalists in 2006, will be one of the favourites for the title in Austria and Switzerland this summer.

But Domenech admits things are not going completely according to plan ahead of the Euros.

Asked what clouds are hovering over him in the run-up to the tournament, he told French daily L'Equipe: 'Who will be in the squad. The 1-0 defeat to Spain (last month). Not having scored a goal in two games, in the senior and 'A' teams.

'The clouds are also over our preparation time. The players end their domestic season on 24 May and play their first game of the Euros on 9 June.

'So with all this happening, the Euros are not approaching under the best conditions. I want everybody to be conscious of that.'

PA Sport