Hugo Lloris: “We will be stronger”

Always considered, Hugo Lloris didn’t want to look too far ahead after the Champions League Final.

“Now is the time to digest this defeat,” said the skipper around 90 minutes after our 2-0 loss against Liverpool at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.

It’s a tough defeat to digest, as well. Tears had been shed and faces were long as the players trudged through the huge mixed zone for post-match interviews at the stadium.

After three weeks of preparation, the run of the game went against us after just 25 seconds when Moussa Sissoko was judged to have handballed Sadio Mane’s cross. So, less than two minutes into the biggest game in the Club’s history, Hugo was facing Mo Salah from the spot.

Salah scored and although we dominated possession from there, we struggled to create clear-cut chances. Our best spell came in the latter stages of the second half when Dele, Heung-Min Son, Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen all tried their luck to no avail but it was all over when Divock Origi hit Liverpool’s second three minutes from time. There were no miracles left.

“There are no words to describe it,” said Hugo, asked about his and the team’s feelings. “We are all gutted, especially the way the game turned on Liverpool’s side.

“It’s never easy to start the game 1-0 down, conceding a penalty after a few seconds. We tried to get back into game but we didn’t create too much.

“It’s always painful to lose this type of game but we cannot forget the work we’ve done all through the season to be at this stage of the competition. It’s already a big step forward for our Club, for the team but it’s not the way we wanted the season to end.

“Now is the time to digest the defeat, there are plenty of things to learn and then I have no doubt the team will be stronger next season.”