Interview with the captain of the France team, Hugo Lloris

The captain of the French national team spoke of Tuesday's match at Krestovsky stadium. He also had words for the Colombian Dávinson Sánchez, his teammate in English Tottenham

By far, it seems that Hugo Lloris always looks scared. His black eyes, very small, stand out on his bony face when he answers a question. At first he looks shy, but with the warmth of words, with the fluidity of his ideas, the captain of the France team completely changes this first perception. No need to talk a lot, always shows diplomacy and its intention to maintain unity in a team full of stars, in a wardrobe that can explode at any moment for the huge egos of those who make up, as it has happened before, many times. But since the guard Tottenham wears the bracelet, the spirits have calmed down thanks to their democratic behavior, always gathering. (See here our 2018 Russian World Cup)

Lloris showed Didier Deschamps and his whole country that a leader is not the one who shouts the most on the field but the most respected, he who invites to tranquility regardless of the moment, much less the result. El Espectador talks with the 31-year-old goalkeeper on what's left of this World Cup, Belgium, the semifinal opponent and his debut in the sport , who curiously did not play football. (Read: Kylian Mbappé, the boy who wanted to follow in the footsteps of Thierry Henry)

Why did he stop tennis when he said that it was a promise for his country in this discipline?

lose in youth tournaments. And that gave me a bad character with myself. In fact, once I played eight games without knowing the win and I was desperate. And I got depressed and my parents, very intelligent, told me to continue on the side of football, that suddenly in a collective sport I was doing better. I trained at the time in tennis and football, but I opted for the second and I am there. I think it was the best decision, right?

How did tennis help him be the goalkeeper that he is today?

Still being on tiptoe, in reflexes, in anticipation of the game. And, of course, in making the division (the jump the archers make when a player strikes the goal, in the same way that players do when the opponent hits the ball). I think it was the right way, because tennis requires you to be very attentive, very enlightened and to develop your senses. I do not know why I feel that being ambidextrous also has to racket.

Entering the World Cup, what do you think of Belgium, the opponent in the semifinals?

the favorite He beat Brazil. Anyone who manages to beat the team with the most history in this sport is immediately the favorite to win the World Cup. For the Premier League, I know a lot of his players and I know it will not be easy to beat them, because they showed a game organized, fast, and can appeal to talent when things are convenient [19659005]

We have made progress with the pbadage of the matches. Of course, there are things to correct, but each time they are less. I must emphasize something that I liked and that is the management of the time. When we have to go slowly, we do it effectively, but when we have to speed up, we can be deadly. People say we are favorites, but I prefer to take the pressure off and say that we are not, stay away from anything that could disrupt the group's harmony.

What good is it to have a coach who has already won? The world as a player?

The experience of the experience feeds a lot, helps to build and improve details that I can not tell you. In addition, Didier Deschamps gives you the certainty and calm needed when you are already among the top four in a World Cup. He walked on the road, reached the final and was successful. We will try to imitate it to demonstrate that the processes are efficient and that in France we respect them.

The tackle to Martín Cáceres, in the 2-0 win against Uruguay in the quarterfinals, is considered one of the best of the championship. the best. Can I rebuild it?

I realize that the ball will fall to the penalty spot, that Martin will stay alone, and when he starts I will stretch out what my body gives and I open the palm of my right hand to not let the ball pbad. But he does not finish everything. I stand fast and feel bad with Godin because I knew he was going to bounce back and, thankfully, he sent her to the rostrum. Then I saw the rehearsal and I did not believe what I had stopped.

For many this Tuesday will be the duel between the two best goaltenders of this World Cup. What do you think of Thibaut Courtois?

This is an impressive guardian. What he does with his hands and feet is unparalleled. And he is only 26 years old. His growth in England has been appalling, to the point that clubs like Real Madrid want him on his payroll. It will not be easy to score and this has been demonstrated against Brazil, a match in which he was a character with many backups

What opinion did the World Cup have for Dvinson Sánchez, his teammate in Tottenham ? 19659005] The pattern is incredible. Too bad that against England there was no luck in the penalties. But I saw it very well, as I see it every week-end at the Prime Minister's. He is a young player, he has a lot of talent and he is fast enough. He handles pressure situations well and this makes him different from others of his age. Colombia must be calm because it has a first-level defender, who is already among the best in the world.