Hugo Lloris hopes France can make a winning start to their World Cup campaign when they take on Honduras on Sunday.
Our popular goalkeeper - Les Bleus’ captain - knows how much of a boost an opening game victory will give his nation as they get their Group E quest underway at Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre.
With the match taking place just 13 kilometres from Arena do Gremio - where Hugo and France played a friendly against Brazil last June - it’s not totally unfamiliar territory for the 27-year-old and his compatriots.
And with that in mind, Hugo is hopeful France can build on their impressive run of just one defeat in their last 11 outings when they embark on their World Cup programme, kick-off 8pm UK time.
“I’ve been to the area once before - it was just last year for a friendly,” Hugo said.
“We’re going near there again when we play our first game against Honduras, but regardless of that it’s important to start well in the competition.
“It’s important to take three points from the game because it can give us confidence and it can put us in a good situation after that in the group stage.”