World Cup 2006 qualifying/ France v Switzerland: France coach Raymond Domenech is doing his best to play down the importance of the next seven days, but there was a new seriousness hanging in the Clairefontaine air when Les Bleus gathered at their training base this week.

Domenech has endured a stuttering start since his appointment last summer and should his revamped team fail to beat Switzerland at the Stade de France on Saturday the pressure will be right back on the former Lyon boss.

France have so far dropped points in both of their home qualifiers - registering goalless draws with Israel and the Republic of Ireland - and can ill afford another slip ahead of Wednesday's trip to Israel.

The hoards of journalists that gathered at Clairefontaine for Tuesday's press conference was a reflection of just how crucial the next week could be, but Domenech was doing his best to play down the hype. "These are two important matches, but they're not decisive matches," he insisted. The 53-year-old remains convinced his young side is making steady progress. Certainly France's performances in the recent drawn friendlies against Poland and Sweden were an improvement, but they are still searching for their first home win in the Domenech era.

"If we draw all of our matches between now and the end of the qualifying campaign and it is enough for us to go through, then I won't mind," shrugged the phlegmatic coach.

France's biggest problem has been scoring goals. They have registered just two in five home games, and Domenech is hoping that first-choice strikers Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet will be fit to face the Swiss.

Henry has not played since he picked up a calf injury against Bayern Munich on February 9th but Domenech is prepared to risk the wrath of the Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who suggested the 27-year-old would be out until the end of the month.

"Titi (Henry) is the one I have called up, not Arsene," Domenech said firmly. "He says the problem is only minor and he is confident of playing." Henry was reluctant to confirm Domenech's claim, saying only, "ask the doctor, he's the boss", when quizzed by journalists.

Trezeguet looks certain to shake off an ankle knock and will be partnered by Sylvain Wiltord, who is in top form at Lyon, should Henry miss out.

While Domenech was staying characteristically calm, the players seemed to recognise the urgency of the situation. Both Benoit Pedretti, who should start alongside Patrick Vieira in central midfield, and right back Willy Sagnol insisted that another draw would be unacceptable. "Winning is what makes a team great," Pedretti explained. "We've already drawn a lot and another draw would be a big disappointment." Sagnol added: "We need six points from the next two games. Not four."

A victory for France would put some distance between themselves and Switzerland, who have five points, three fewer than the leading trio. The Swiss have a game in hand, though, and the feeling in the French camp is that they, and not Ireland, represent the biggest threat. "The Swiss are technically stronger than Ireland and they have more potential to score goals," claimed Coupet.

Juventus defender Jonathan Zebina does not think they should even be thinking about their opponents. "Our toughest opponent is France," he said. "The only people who can cause us problems are ourselves."

That view is shared by Alexander Frei, the Swiss striker who plays in France with Rennes. "France are still big favourites to win the group," said Frei, who is currently the top scorer in the French league with 14 goals. "People say they're in crisis but they still haven't lost. We'll do our best to get a draw but finishing second remains our goal."