Hugo: “This is the moment to be positive”
Hugo Lloris feels we’re entering a decisive moment in this marathon season.
As we prepare for our 44th match of the campaign in all competitions against Palace at home on Sunday evening (7.15pm) - coincidentally, only matchday 27 of 38 in the Premier League - goalkeeper and skipper Hugo pinpoints this spell until the international break at the end of the month as vital.
It has started well with back-to-back victories and clean sheets against Burnley (4-0 on Sunday) and Fulham (1-0 on Thursday night) keeping us in the hunt for the top four. We’ve also reached the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League - the first leg against Dinamo Zagreb arrives at home on Thursday (11 March, 8pm) and we’ve the final of the Carabao Cup to look forward to in April.
“I feel the team is positive and we need to continue this run,” said Hugo, now on 101 clean sheets in the Premier League having reached his century against Burnley. “This week is so important. First Burnley, Fulham away, now Palace at home. All very tough.
“This period until the international break is the moment to get the position for the final sprint. I think the team is getting in a better moment, and if we step up together, we can believe in a positive end.”
The word 'team' is key - Jose Mourinho emphasised the importance of the impact of Erik Lamela, Lucas and Moussa Sissoko off the bench in our hard-fought 1-0 win at Craven Cottage.
“We cannot do anything without being a team, without the right spirit,” added Hugo, now up to 358 appearances for the Club. “I think this is the moment to be positive, to go out and fight, to push until the end. It has been tough. There were a few losses, and the taste of a loss is no good, but we are still alive."