Hugo Lloris has one thing on his mind: keeping OGC Nice in the top league, and he wants to make that clear. As the last line of the red and black defense, he remains very proud to wear the jersey, praising the backline whenever he can, as he did after the match against Valenciennes. Credited with a great game against the newly-promoted northern team, once again, his qualities are praised by everyone, including Gérard Buscher, his coach in CFA, and Bruno Valencony, the goalkeeping coach, being the first. Appreciated both on and off the field, the young man is maturing very quickly and seems destined for a magnificent career, provided he continues like this. Nice Premium met him after the match against Troyes last week.
Nice-Premium: The team has two consecutive wins (now three); that must feel good, right?
Hugo Lloris: Yes, it’s satisfying but the hardest part is yet to come. We needed and got those six points but we’re still in the relegation zone, we can’t let up. There are three crucial matches remaining. We go to Valenciennes, we host Lille, and we travel to Lorient, we need at least 5-6 points (the interview was conducted the day after the match against Troyes. Since then, the eagles won 1-0 at Valenciennes this weekend, gaining three more points in the race for maintenance).
N-P: It feels like the match in Lyon was crucial, a turning point.
H.L.: No, I don’t think so. Since the break, we’ve rested well and even though we took a bad beating from Toulouse, there were good things already in Nantes even though we lost at the last minute. However, it’s true that Lyon allowed us to tighten the bonds, given that a lot of extracurricular things happened. I think we’re on the right wavelength.
N-P: Speaking of which, that movement at the top of the club. Did you discuss it together? Did it play a role?
H.L.: No, I don’t believe so. The arrival of Lilian (Laslandes) has been good because he brings experience, he has his history. He’s someone who always benefits a group. He’s a leader, he fulfills what’s expected of him.
N-P: From a personal perspective, last night was the first time you’ve not conceded a goal in a long time. Is it a goal to keep a clean sheet?
H.L.: We don’t think too much about that when playing for survival. It’s primarily about victory and gathering maximum points. However, it was pleasing not to have conceded a goal last night, and we must continue in this stride.
N-P: Your starting since the beginning of the season, is it a reward for last year’s League Cup?
H.L.: (Embarrassed) I don’t know, you’d have to ask the coach.
N-P: What do you remember from that competition and the final?
H.L.: The cup is always special but it’s probably not because of that I’m where I am today. I played the matches I had to, we reached the final and even though it went poorly at Stade de France, it’s still a great experience and something to draw from moving forward.
N-P: After about a year with the French Under-21 team, and the win last Wednesday (4-0 against Switzerland in Nîmes, Lloris played the first half), how do you feel within this group?
H.L.: I’m sort of one of the old hands so I’m getting used to meeting the guys. It’s a very good group with potential. It feels good to take a break, to join the selection. It’s always enriching to go there.
N-P: The French A team, do you believe in it?
H.L.: For now, I’m not thinking about it. First securing maintenance and we’ll see after that.
N-P: Regarding your future, for now, you are in Nice, but afterward?
H.L.: I don’t talk much about my case at the moment. We need to stay in L1; we have time to see the rest.
