sport news 'I'll do my talking on the pitch': France captain Hugo Lloris rubbishes claims ... trends now
It wasn’t exactly ‘Le Crunch’ as France tiptoed around the diplomatic minefields yesterday, steadfastly trying to avoid detonating anything which might offer psychological motivation to England.
The French press put it to Hugo Lloris and Didier Deschamps that the English think the former, their goalkeeper and captain of 12 years, is a weak link, but the coach was not falling for it. ‘You talk about the British media but you also ask some tough questions of our team sometimes,’ said Deschamps.
Lloris, adopting his usual calm indifference to any question put to him, smiled at the same observation. ‘I have nothing to tell in a press conference,’ he said. ‘I have no message for their media, I will do my talking on the pitch. We need no extra motivation from outside. They have their view and I respect that.’
Hugo Lloris (pictured) has dismissed claims he is 'the weak link' in the impressive French side
Lloris said that 'I will do my talking on the pitch' and does not need any further motivation
The extreme politeness, with Lloris eulogising about his nine years of friendship at Tottenham with Harry Kane, contributes to the sense that this fixture has never thrown up a footballing Agincourt. This is the first time the sides have ever met in a knockout game.
But even some of the French see Lloris as the weak link, vulnerable to the kind of error which saw him spill the ball in his own box against Poland in the last 16, and not exactly a shining light when it comes to penalties.
Lloris, who wins a record 143rd cap, conceded all five kicks against Switzerland in the round of 16 at last summer’s Euros, his only shootout with the team.
He'll face off against Tottenham teammate Harry Kane (pictured) in the quarter finals in Qatar
Lloris (R) is full of confidence saving a penalty (which was retaken) vs Robert Lewandowski (L)
When he seemed to have provided some encouragement to supporters by saving Robert Lewandowski’s kick against Poland, the penalty was retaken as he had moved a yard off his line. Lewandowski promptly scored from the retake. ‘We’re asked to stay on the line but it’s impulsive,’ said Lloris.
He has an accident in him. Like the ball he dropped at Gabriel Jesus’s feet which allowed Arsenal to storm back into October’s north London derby and win 3-1.
But there are grounds to say France should show more faith in him. His best performances in the national jersey have come at some
