Lloris hails France’s mental strength
PARIS: Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris hailed the mental strength that saw World Cup winners France overcome a patchy opening period to beat Germany 2-1.
Les Bleus captain Lloris was one of several players who admitted the hosts had desperately needed to raise their game against a rejuvenated Germany side that showed plenty of promise. “When we lift our level, the players’ talents really come to the fore,” said Lloris.
He also hailed France’s defensive efforts in the closing minutes. We had to stay alert at the back... stay calm and composed so as not to concede the second goal.” Following a scoreless draw against Germany in Munich, a 2-1 win over the Netherlands and a tense 2-2 draw with Iceland, France sit top of Group 1.
Despite an average age of 25, France are showing maturity beyond their years — a tendency vice-captain Raphael Varane believes was crucial to their World Cup success.
“We managed to win the World Cup thanks to our mental qualities, despite some difficult moments,” said Varane.
The Real Madrid player added: “We have to keep these values, and not allow panic to set in. We have confidence in ourselves, and we know what we’re capable of.”
DOUBLE HEADER
In the second half, Dynamos sprang to life and finally managed to threaten the visitors’ goal. The equaliser came in the 54th minute when Rana Gharami
SUBSTITUTES COMBINE
Running down the right flank, Rane spotted Maimouni at the edge of the box with no defender to close him down. Rane’s lay-off to the Moroccan was calmly slotted into the left corner by Maimouni.
Behind for the second time in the game, Dynamos could find no way past the ATK backline again.
Dynamos coach Josep Gombau rued his side’s slow start to the game.
“We played our game but ATK started well and had more of the ball in the opening minutes. I think we started playing well in the last 15-20 minutes of the first half and we did quite well in the second half,” he said.
His counterpart Coppell lauded his side for keeping calm after conceding the equaliser. “When they equalised, there was a spell of about five minutes when we needed to calm down and try and retain the ball, and we did it well.”