Intensity, talent, togetherness - Hugo Lloris on City win
Hugo Lloris listed the ingredients required to serve up a crucial 1-0 win in the first leg of our Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City at the new stadium on Tuesday night.
The skipper and goalkeeper produced one of the two decisive moments on the night by saving Sergio Aguero’s penalty in the 13th minute. It was Hugo’s third penalty save on the trot. Heung-Min Son then delivered the telling blow, a trademark quick spin and shot to win the first leg 12 minutes from time.
The clean sheet was key though going into the second leg at the Etihad on Wednesday week (17 April, 8pm). It was only the second time in the last 29 matches in all competitions that quadruple-chasing City had failed to score.
“It demands a lot of concentration, even more communication than usual and the back four was fantastic,” reflected Hugo after a night to remember, the first European night at our new home.
“The two holding midfielders (Moussa Sissoko, Harry Winks) did a big, big job and that’s important in this type of game.
“The first thing if you want to compete against this type of team is to play with aggression and intensity. Then it’s about talent and togetherness and we showed great personality.
“But it’s only the first half (of the tie). It will be even more difficult next week at Man City. It’s a fantastic week. We’ll face City twice and we’re in a good position but we all know in football everything is possible. It’s important to keep our belief and desire.”
Typically, Hugo took all praise for his penalty heroics in his stride.
That’s three in a row for the World Cup winner, crucial saves as well to deny Jamie Vardy against Leicester, a last-minute save from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to prevent defeat in the derby and now keeping Aguero and City at bay.
“It’s part of the game,” said the modest French number one. “I’m very pleased to save a penalty at this important moment of the game, in front of one of the best strikers in the world. It’s always a good feeling.
“It’s about confidence, probably. I’m not used to saving many penalties in my career but the good thing is the three penalty saves this season have been very important for the team, so I can only be pleased with that.
“Then the team stayed strong until the end of the game. The crowd helped us, gave us an extra boost, gave us a lot of energy and at the end we are all happy with this result.”