INTERVIEW
It's back for the Blues too. Saturday night at the Stade de France, the world champions receive Albania, in a match that will have to win to calmly tackle the final stretch of qualifying for the Euro 2020. "The goal is to win, to take six points over the next two matches, "assured Hugo Lloris, guest of Europe morning 1 Thursday. The goalkeeper and captain of Bleus is also thinking about the game against Andorra next Tuesday, still at the Stade de France.
The blue jersey, "a passage of witness generation after generation"
The goalkeeper of Tottenham, who will honor Saturday night his 113th selection, also recalls the importance in his eyes of the blue jersey. "The jersey of the French team, it is often said, is heavy to wear compared to its history, compared to its prestige.There are so many great players who have worn," said Hugo Lloris. "It's a passage from one generation to the next generation, and it's important for this new generation to realize that importance, but you can only realize that when you come out on the court wearing the jersey, of the national anthem but also during important matches on qualifying stages or during major competitions such as the World Cup and the Euro. "
This emotion, some inexperienced young people could feel at the Stade de France, because of the many absentees, including Kylian Mbappé, who had to withdraw from injury. "Unfortunately for the French team, we must do without some executives, experienced players, but it also gives the chance to young players to express their talent," the goalkeeper of the Blues. "So it's also a good thing for the France team".
"Difficult to mix between preparation and pre-season tours"
As for the reasons for such a slaughter - besides Mbappé, Pogba, Laporte, Dembélé or Kanté are wounded - Hugo Lloris refuses to incriminate the sometimes tiring pre-season tours. "As employees of a club, we do not have a say, but it's part of the landscape today, to tour," says the goalkeeper. "So it's difficult to mix between a preparation and these trips, but the technical staff, coaches try to put us in the best conditions.But it inevitably adds fatigue at the beginning of the season," he admits .
All these glitches, it will be necessary to forget them Saturday evening against Albania, against which the Blues will leave largely favorites. Is not it, Hugo Lloris? "I do not predict the matches in which I am ... (laughs) No, no, no," evades the porter of the Blues. "But a victory for the France team, yes ... Indeed, if we do not take a goal, it's better, and we'll have to score too, for fun, for confidence, for our supporters, for living a good football moment. "