Frings calls for improvement
30 May 2008 - 13:28:01
Werder Bremen midfielder Torsten Frings has warned his Germany team-mates that they risk an early elimination from the European Championship if their defensive play doesn't improve.
Frings was part of the side that was held to a 2-2 friendly draw by Belarus on Tuesday evening and afterwards the experienced midfielder fired a warning to rest of Joachim Low's squad.
He said: "Certainly with the goals we conceded not everything looks good.
"The defence has to stamp out mistakes. But every player on the pitch is responsible for defensive work and, admittedly, it did not function like that."
Meanwhile, Frings has leaped to the defence of under-fire goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.
The 38-year-old blamed his error-strewn performance against Belarus on an unfamiliar new Euro 2008 ball.
"Jens is so experienced. He knows exactly what is expected of him," added Frings.
"He is the perfect goalkeeper for this tournament."