Makelele sees Romanians as threat to French ambition

Even though Les Bleus also have to contend with world champions Italy and Holland, French midfielder Claude Makelele said Friday the other side in Group C, Romania, posed a major threat to French chances at Euro 2008.

“They are a tough proposition,” said Makelele. “The Romanians have the same characteristics as us and are one of the best teams in the competition. They are a young team with loads of quality and are going to pose a lot of problems to the other teams in the group.”

Makelele knows Romanian striker Adrian Mutu from their time together at Chelsea and said of the Fiorentina forward: “He is a very good player.”

France coach Raymond Domenech also praised the eastern Europeans.

“Mutu? Romania are not one player but a good team all round with heaps of talent,” said Domenech.