Barcelona vs Tottenham: Hugo Lloris says his belief has returned after turbulent month of mistakes
Life, much like a Leo Messi shot, comes at you fast. Take Hugo Lloris’ year. It had some of the best and worst moments of his career. The unparalleled feeling of captaining France to the World Cup was so quickly followed by the disgraceful low of an arrest for drink-driving, and a series of errors the 31-year-old just never used to be responsible for.
The previous match against Barcelona, who he faces again with Tottenham Hotspur at Camp Nou on Tuesday in a crunch last Champions League group game, was a case in point as regards the latter. While so many were lauding Messi’s otherworldly display in that 4-2 win at Wembley, and then inevitably asking Mauricio Pochettino about his compatriot, the Spurs boss actually made a point of answering them by arguing that his goalkeeper’s opening error was much more decisive. Lloris ill-judged a run out of his box, allowing Messi to square for Philippe Coutinho to score the easiest of goals. Lloris does front up there.
“At this level, one little mistake can change the game,” he says. For my part, it was my first game after a few weeks of injuries and probably I missed a little bit of judging the distance but sometimes you need to accept mistakes.”
There was also, of course, the biggest mistake, that arrest.
“I’m just focused on my work. Obviously, September as a month was not easy for two reasons. The main reason was because I was injured. The second one is, as you say, there was some turbulence [in my life] and that’s something that can happen in life. But in that type of period, you should not lose the focus on the main things and the simple things in life. Most importantly, I am playing well in goal at the moment and as I showed in the last few games and few weeks.”
He’ll really have to show it on Tuesday, especially if Messi again plays. While there is an assertive confidence about Spurs that they can get the result they need at Camp Nou, and get through to the last 16 after it looked like all was lost following the 2-2 draw away to PSV Eindhoven, the Argentine is in the type of form that can render such assertiveness meaningless. Many at Barcelona say he is now singularly motivated by reclaiming the Champions League for the club and has rediscovered his best form - although that may actually mean he is rested. Spurs may be spared the type of special performance they were subjected to at Wembley.
“To be fair, Messi on this day had an amazing performance,” Lloris says. “Every time he touched the ball he created chances and it’s difficult to get the result that you want when you give too much freedom to a player like that. We need to have more control of him.
“He is used to showing that type of game. He is one of the best players in the history of football so he’s capable to turn games when he decides so it’s important to keep a control on him. Of course, there’s so many talented players that you can’t only be focused on him but he’s one of the main aspects of the game that we need to think about.”
And that’s the extra challenge on Tuesday. Messi ensures there is even more to consider because Spurs have to score, while covering him, and trying to cover all of the openings that the Argentine’s movement will thereby open up elsewhere. Lloris says this is what they have most been considering.
“One thing is to stay strong, try to avoid conceding an early goal and the other thing is to manage well the space because the pitch is massive over there,” Lloris explains. “Obviously, the main skill of the Barca team is the possession so it’s difficult to compete with them in the aspect of the game but we can do it. I think it’s one of our main skills so I think the best thing is to be very efficient when we have the ball and without the ball is to be very strong and to try and concede as few chances as possible.
“It’s a big task because Barcelona are not used to losing many games at home but they did it this season so we need to believe in ourselves and that we have a chance of winning and going through
“But we need to stay focused on ourselves, only think about our own performance, forget about the Inter Milan result. We need to play our game, remember to enjoy it and try to win this game.
“We are still in the process in the development of the club and the team. We are not a contender to win the Champions League, like Barca is. But I think that type of club has to inspire us to success and to be winners.
“First of all, we need to believe in ourselves.”
Lloris is certainly back believing in himself. It could well be crucial.
