France star player: Franck Ribery
Do France have what it takes to win the European title again?
For sure. We have players the rest of the world envies, great togetherness and so much strength in depth that we could have three squads of more or less the same value. We nearly went all the way in Germany and all of us who remain are incredibly determined to go one step further. I still have regrets about the Final in Berlin. We had so many chances, we were the better team on the day. But it’s not enough to say we’re going to do this or that at Euro 2008. We have to prove it, game by game.
And yet qualification looked a struggle.
It depends on whether you look at our two defeats to Scotland or the four points we took off the Italians. Against the Scots, we were neither good nor bad – somewhere in between. I’d rather we were judged on the 3-1 win over Italy in Paris and the 0-0 in Milan. I don’t think we’ve been given enough credit for those results.
Which of your team-mates do you expect to play a key role?
Thierry Henry. Titi’s had a lot of criticism since he moved to Barcelona, but I know the man and wouldn’t be surprised to see him turn it on at the finals. The attacks on him aren’t justified. He’s a great champion and a brilliant example to the youngsters. When I first made the squad, he was the first to welcome me. He has a good heart and I’m proud he’s a friend of mine.
As a Bayern Munich player, you are in a good position to judge Germany’s chances.
They will challenge strongly. I know from first hand the ability of Klose, Lahm, Podolski, Jansen and Schweinsteiger. It’s not just that they function well as a unit. They also have huge self-belief and know exactly what should or should not be done in a tournament. Together with ourselves and Germany, I’d add Spain and Italy as the other favourites. If my pal Luca Toni carries on as he has for Bayern this season, Italy will be hard to beat. The Spaniards are due a good tournament and this might be it.
You were France’s new boy at the last World Cup and did not have high expectations to live up to. Will you face more pressure this time around?
I’m not one to worry ahead of football matches, however important they are. My aims will be the same as always – to express myself and score or create, to be effective for the team. I’m not a complicated person. I don’t dwell on ifs or buts. I play according to my instinct, and so far it’s worked well.
Do you have a favourite position?
I’ve a slight preference for a free role behind the strikers, but I’m never unhappy on either flank. As long as I can play my natural game, to dribble and provoke.
You’ve become immensely popular in one season at Bayern. The Bundesliga obviously suits you.
The German League doesn’t have quite the standing of the Premier League, La Liga or Serie A. But it does have an attacking mentality, which is made for my type of game.
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