Spurs vs Benfica - Hugo's inside track

Hugo Lloris has first-hand experience of taking on Benfica in European competition.

Our French number one faced the Portuguese giants in the group stage of the 2010-11 Champions League campaign during his time at Lyon.

Lyon beat Benfica at the Stade de Gerland before suffering a 4-3 loss at Benfica’s Estadio da Luz. Lyon went through in second place behind Schalke but Benfica bowed out.

Now Hugo lines-up against the Lisbon side again – and he’s relishing the last 16 clash in the Europa League.

“Benfica is one of the best teams in Europe and used to playing in the Champions League,” he said.

“I played against Benfica for Lyon in the Champions League. It was in the group stages, we won at home and lost in Benfica.

“They are always a tough team to play away and they are used to playing in Europe. Benfica and Porto are the best teams in Portugal and they have a big reputation in European competition.”

Hugo racked up 50 career appearances in Europe last time out against Dnipro. “I really enjoy European football and hopefully there are many more.

“It means a lot, it’s the best level and I work every day to play in these games because of the intensity, the importance of the result. We all want to go far in this competition.”

Tonight’s first leg represents a huge double-header at the Lane with the North London derby following on Sunday.

“The Europa League is an objective for the team and on Sunday there is a massive game, a derby, you work all season to be ready for these games,” added Hugo.

“Now we need to make that action on the pitch and have a good response to the defeat at Chelsea.”