France split in dressing-rom row, admits Blanc

Laurent Blanc, the France coach, has admitted that there was a "heated" dressing-room row between his players following their limp 2-0 defeat by Sweden in Kiev on Tuesday.

Olivier Giroud, who will join Arsenal after Euro 2012, was quoted describing a "shouting match" immediately after the game, and during a press conference here in Donetsk yesterday (Wednesday), Blanc made no attempt to dispute that version of events.

France's 2010 World Cup campaign famously ended in disgrace amid deep internal splits, and while Blanc played down the significance of Tuesday's incident, it is threatening to overshadow preparations for Saturday's quarter-final against Spain.

"When there's a victory, you accept things more and you're happier," said Blanc. "When you've lost, you're more hot-blooded. It got heated but we all cooled down after a good shower.

"It kicked off a bit because all the players felt that everyone hadn't given everything. To win matches, you have to play them and play them well.

"I don't know if it's because we've got a fairly young squad. When you feel something, you have to say it, and it's not just down to the technical staff. It shows that there's a reaction, and a bit of electricity. I hope that there will be some against Spain, but in the right sense."

Florent Malouda described France's performance as "shocking", but after a 23-game unbeaten run, there is still a belief that they can upset Spain.

"I don't think Spain are favourites, the Germans have impressed me the most," said Samir Nasri, the France midfielder. "Spain and Italy are both hard to play against, and the Italians are harder to play against as they line up with five defenders and three defensive midfielders who push up.

"Spain like to play football, but France has always done well against the Spanish in a major tournament. We might get more room against the Spanish."

Yohan Cabaye, however, stressed that there would need to be a drastic improvement against Spain. "We have always played as a team which is why we went 23 games unbeaten, but we didn't against Sweden," he said.

"It was a mistake. Our mentality wasn't right. I hope we learn. Spain are the best team in the world so we are going to have to play like it is the final. If we play like we did against Sweden, we haven't got any chance of beating them."

Meanwhile, Spain might have won Group C to secure a Euro 2012 quarter-final, but the European champions are under siege.

Accused in the Spanish media of failing to live up to their star billing, coach Vicente del Bosque is under pressure to change his approach.

Interrogated for facing Italy without a recognised forward and over his faith in Fernando Torres, Del Bosque has complained of Spain "not appreciating what we have".

But his squad remain firmly behind the former Real Madrid coach. "I don't understand the criticisms," claimed goalkeeper Victor Valdes. "Our rivals know us better than they used to but having said that, results speak for themselves.

"We just need to concentrate on our quarter-final against France. Del Bosque has got it right so far, so we need to all pull together."