Makelele ready to hold French line

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

CHÂTEL-SAINT-DENIS, Switzerland (AFP) — In the absence of the injured Patrick Vieira it could be down to Claude Makelele to hold the line in the French midfield on Monday when they take on Romania in their opening Group C Euro 2008 fixture.

Makalele says that despite the temporary loss of Vieira France have the maturity and the strength in depth to survive without their skipper against the first of their "Group of Death" rivals who also include world champions Italy and 1988 European champions Holland.

For "Make" what is important is to send out a balanced side and he insists that will be the case even as Vieira faces having to look on from the sidelines as the campaign starts.

"That (his absence) doesn't change anything for me," insisted Chelsea star...