Domenech defends Zizou: Make Materazzi MOM
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France coach Raymond Domenech jumped to the defence of Zinedine Zidane after his shock red card in last night's World Cup final.
Zidane was sent off in extra-time for a head-butt on Marco Materazzi before France went on to lose on penalties.
"Materrazzi is the man of the match, not Andrea Pirlo," said Domenech.
"When one has to put up with what Zidane had to and the referee doesn't do anything, one understands. You can't excuse it, but you can understand it."
Zidane was sent off in extra-time for a head-butt on Marco Materazzi before France went on to lose on penalties.
"Materrazzi is the man of the match, not Andrea Pirlo," said Domenech.
"When one has to put up with what Zidane had to and the referee doesn't do anything, one understands. You can't excuse it, but you can understand it."
Skipper Zidane had put France ahead early on from the spot before Materazzi levelled for Italy.
Neither team could make a telling breakthrough in normal time and then, with France in the ascendancy, the game swung in extra-time when Zidane, in his final game before retiring, launched himself at Materazzi.
"To see him finish his career in this way is sad," said Domenech. "He has had a great career and a great World Cup."
France went on to lose the shoot-out 5-3 after David Trezeguet hit the woodwork and Italy converted all their spot-kicks.
"I can't say I'm happy just to be a finalist," added Domenech who is also unhappy his side have to attend a parade on Monday on the Champs Elysees.
"For Monday, if it was me who decided, we wouldn't have one. Thirty years ago we did that sort of thing but I don't think it is the correct thing to do now."
And Domenech said it was too soon to reflect on the positives of the match or the tournament.
"I don't have the heart to remember the good things right now. Only the disappointment at the moment," he said.
"I am deeply disappointed. We deserved the title based over the whole match.
"Only victory is beautiful and we missed out just by a little thing. We can say it wasn't too bad but it is the Italians who are the world champions.
"They played for the penalties because that was the only option for them."
Neither team could make a telling breakthrough in normal time and then, with France in the ascendancy, the game swung in extra-time when Zidane, in his final game before retiring, launched himself at Materazzi.
"To see him finish his career in this way is sad," said Domenech. "He has had a great career and a great World Cup."
France went on to lose the shoot-out 5-3 after David Trezeguet hit the woodwork and Italy converted all their spot-kicks.
"I can't say I'm happy just to be a finalist," added Domenech who is also unhappy his side have to attend a parade on Monday on the Champs Elysees.
"For Monday, if it was me who decided, we wouldn't have one. Thirty years ago we did that sort of thing but I don't think it is the correct thing to do now."
And Domenech said it was too soon to reflect on the positives of the match or the tournament.
"I don't have the heart to remember the good things right now. Only the disappointment at the moment," he said.
"I am deeply disappointed. We deserved the title based over the whole match.
"Only victory is beautiful and we missed out just by a little thing. We can say it wasn't too bad but it is the Italians who are the world champions.
"They played for the penalties because that was the only option for them."
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