Toulalan promises improved display

France midfielder Jeremy Toulalan has tipped his team-mates to raise their performance levels against Holland after they drew a blank against Romania in their Euro 2008 Group C opener.

Romania were negative and were clearly intent on picking up a point, but Toulalan reckons it will be a different story against the more offensive-minded Dutch on Friday.

"It is sometimes easier to play against the bigger teams," said the Lyon midfielder. "If the Dutch come and play a little more and not like the Romanians, it will be better for us. We are ready for what is coming."

He continued: "We tried but it was a difficult match, especially with Romania not playing too much football."

Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda wasted the only decent chances France created as they struggled to find the guile required to break the deadlock against Romania.

With Zinedine Zidane now retired, the pressure is on Franck Ribery to take up the playmaker mantle, but the Bayern Munich star failed to provide the necessary spark as he had an off-day.

Karim Benzema, the young Lyon striker who has been tipped for big things, also failed to shine, leaving Romania coach Victor Piturca to question the depth of reserves in the France squad.

"Maybe France are no longer at the same level as they have been in the past - we could see that here," he said.

"They still have very good players who are experienced, but a couple of them are a little old now.

"Maybe they are tired of playing all these finals and maybe they are being nice and giving somebody else a chance to win something."