Euro 2000 champions France face an uphill task to qualify from Group C after they were held to a drab stalemate by Victor Piturca's Romania in their opening Euro 2008 match in Zurich. You would have expected better stuff from the opener in the Group of Death, but the match hardly showed any signs of life.

With Thierry Henry having to sit on the bench because of injury problems, Domenech opted to start with Benzema and Nicolas Anelka upfront. Jeremy Toulalan replaced Patrick Vieira in midfield, and the rest of the lineup was pretty much as expected. And watching his side fail to break down the Romanians, it wouldn't be wrong to say Domenech missed the genius that was Zinedine Zidane. While the French did see more of the ball, there was no creativity and unorthodox thinking in their attacking play. Romania wanted the draw, and their task was made easier by the way the French played.

Karim Benzema's 25 yard shot was the only thing noteworthy France had to show in their first ten minutes of play. Romania were camped in their own half and were willing to let France come at them. Chelsea striker Anelka headed over from six yards - a difficult chance because Frank Ribery's corner bounced before coming to him, but a chance nonetheless. One bit of good play came when Ribery and Benzema linked up, but the latter's 18 yard shot landed safely in the arms of Lobont. On 65 minutes, Benzema showed a touch of brilliance when he hoodwinked both Contra and Tamas, but his final effort was too wide to trouble the keeper.

Domenech tried to change things by bringing on Bafetimbi Gomis and Samir Nasri in the second half , but the Romanians stuck to their task. And had Niculae converted from Nicolita's cross late in the game, things could gone even worse for France.

Big headache for Domenech - playing like this against the Netherlands and Italy won't help France one bit. Time for Les Bleus to get their act together.

France starting XI :- Coupet, Abidal, Thuram, Gallas, Sagnol, Toulalan, Makelele, Malouda, Ribery, Benzema ( Nasri), Anelka (Gomis)

Romania starting XI:-Lobont, Rat, Contra, Tamas, Goian, Cocis (Codrea 63), Radoi (Dica 90), Chivu, Nicolita, Daniel Niculae, Mutu (M.Niculae 78).