Diarra fires French warning

Lassana Diarra warned the best is yet to come after France won for the third straight game, 2-0 against Serbia and Montenegro in Braga on Sunday. "We're getting strong and I'm getting stronger as well," he said. "We want the title and you only get there by winning."

French success
Midfielder Diarra was named Carlsberg Man of the Match after a commanding performance alongside Jérémy Toulalan in the centre of the French midfield. Attending the post-match award ceremony is becoming something of a habit for French players here, with Diarra following Jimmy Briand and Rio Antonio Mavuba, who also left with the trophy after Les Bleuets' victories against Portugal and Germany.

Focus
It is a mark of the spirit in the France squad, though, that the collective always comes before the individual. "The essential thing is that France won and that we have qualified," Diarra said. "Of course it's nice to be named man of the match, that's a personal thing, it's makes me happy, but we just want to concentrate on what comes next."

'Improving'
France coach René Girard is spoiled for choice in the centre where Mavuba, Toulalan and Diarra have all impressed. In Braga Diarra was happy to patrol the space in front of the back four in much the same way that team-mate Claude Makelele does for Chelsea FC. "Against Germany I played more on the left, but my preferred position is in the centre where I played tonight," he said. "Little by little I am getting into the competition and improving all the time. It doesn't matter to us who plays, we just want to get to the end and win the title. Whether it's me or someone else it doesn't matter, we're all motivated to win."

'Friends'
Girard used every French outfield player during the group phase which has helped cement bonds within the squad. After long seasons at club level, Les Bleuets are relaxed and enjoying their time here together. "It's very different to Chelsea," Diarra said. "It's nice to be playing with guys my own age. We're friends, we laugh - we're happy and everything is going well. There's so much quality in this squad."

'Strong defence'
Starting from the back where France are yet to concede a goal this tournament. Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has quickly taken to life at this level having featured just once in qualifying. "I have really been helped by the players I have had in front of me," he said. "We have a really strong defence, and that obviously makes a real difference for the goalkeeper.

'Winning the title'
"We are a group of 21 players who are able to play at a really high level and we showed that again against Serbia and Montenegro. We made a few changes but the team didn't give any ground and were strong defensively. Every one in this squad is ready to play. It really doesn't matter to me who we play next, all that I'm concerned about is going to the end and winning this title."