French midfielder Claude Makelele has insisted that France must raise the level of their game if there are to successfully defend their European Championship crown.
The Chelsea midfielder, who missed France's disappointing 2-2 draw with Croatia, believes that his side have not yet reached top form and will have to improve if they are to mount a realistic Euro 2004 challenge.
The midfielder said: "It's normal people are being critical of us but that's because they have come to expect so much of us. We want to start playing again the football we know that we are capable of."
One of the most worrying aspects for France is the fact that they conceded four goals in their three Group B games and Makelele has pin-pointed defence as one aspect in which les Bleus must improve.
"We know it's not acceptable and it is something we must pay attention to if we want to go all the way in this tournament," he said.
Meanwhile Makelele's team-mate Robert Pires has lashed out at the French media for the pressure and criticism they are piling of Jacques Santini's men.
The Arsenal winger said: " Here journalists do not always turn up the pressure and criticise everything and nothing. What do people expect of us? I simply don't know. Why not ask Spain if they would like to be on our 'bad' position?
Filed by Rob Wright
