Bacary Sagna insists everyone over-reacted to France's disappointing performance at Euro 2012.
Arsenal man behind his France team-mates following Euro 2012
Bacary Sagna insists everyone over-reacted to France's disappointing performance at Euro 2012.
Sagna did not make the tournament in Poland and Ukraine because of injury, with Les Bleus criticised heavily after going out to Spain in the quarter-finals.
France failed to win their group and many in their national media were quick to pounce on the players.
Samir Nasri, Hatem Ben Arfa, Jeremy Menez and Yann M'Vila were also disciplined by the French FA for their behaviour during the tournament.
Nasri was banned for four games after clashing with a journalist, but Sagna insists their performance was not that bad.
"For me, Les Bleus didn't perform so bad at the Euros, it was all down to the defeat against Sweden," he told
l'Equipe.
"If we finished in first position, we could have played the final. Facing Spain or Italy, in the quarter-final, it is not the same.
"I can understand the fans' disappointment. The first thing is to blame the players. But what annoys me is the fact a slightest thing could make everything blow up, while the group was fine.
Press
"We also pay too much attention to the press. Critics have always existed but nowadays the players are too over-sensitive.
"Frankly, critics are offending, but you have to accept them. I have often been criticised about my crosses. I was so offended that I used it. Each day after training sessions, I practiced my crosses.
"I could not back Samir Nasri's reaction but I can understand it. Before the Euros, everyone criticised him.
"I could not understand why it made so much buzz.
"When you see the behaviour of English players, who go to the camera to say: '**** off!' We are real saints compared to them!"
