France must release the handbrake and step on the accelerator if they are to stand a chance in their next Euro 2008 match against a free-scoring Dutch side, defender William Gallas said on Tuesday (June 10).
The 2006 World Cup runners-up hardly created an opportunity in a dismal 0-0 draw with Romania in their opening Group C match on Monday (June 9).
Gallas said he hopes France will create more opportunities when they face the Netherlands in Berne.
''We will have to see as soon as Fr Read more

France must release the handbrake and step on the accelerator if they are to stand a chance in their next Euro 2008 match against a free-scoring Dutch side, defender William Gallas said on Tuesday (June 10).
The 2006 World Cup runners-up hardly created an opportunity in a dismal 0-0 draw with Romania in their opening Group C match on Monday (June 9).
Gallas said he hopes France will create more opportunities when they face the Netherlands in Berne.
''We will have to see as soon as Friday. We had to face a team who didn't want to play the ball, who wanted, who wanted a draw. It gave us a few problems and unfortunately we were not able to win the game last night. Maybe the game against Netherlands would suit us better,'' Gallas said near the team's Swiss base.
At least the Dutch will not play with 10 men behind the ball, Gallas said.

"We will have more space. The Dutch like to attack and that means there should be more opportunities for us to attack too and I think our playing style will be a bit different,'' Gallas said.
France have relied chiefly on a cast-iron defence ever since their 1998 World Cup triumph but Gallas said they needed to show more initiative up front in their bid to survive the toughest group in the competition.

"I think the team played with the handbrake on. We followed some instructions, some instructions, that's maybe why we didn't give it all,'' Gallas said.
Gallas said he was surprised to hear French fans boo when the players walked towards them.

"We went to the middle of the field to applaud them because they came to support us in great number. And the jeering surprised us, and that's a shame. We don't need boos, we need support,'' Gallas said.
Gallas also said he was confident the French team would play better as the tournament goes on, notably referring to their 2006 campaign in Germany, where they recovered from a slow start to reach the final. Close