While you might not have been watching France vs Sweden on Friday night, you will probably have heard about Hugo Lloris’ rather costly mistake in the dying minutes of the game.
With the game tied at 1-1, the Tottenham goalkeeper rushed out to win the ball back near the edge of his box, and, wanting to clear the ball down the field, miskicked it straight to an opposition player, whose shot from the halfway line found the back of the net to win the game 2-1.
Didier Deschamps came to his captain’s rescue after the game, explaining the Spurs star was fully aware the game was lost because of him, and didn’t deserve further condemnation.
The former midfielder wasn’t the only one to come to Lloris’ aid after the game, with another France ’98 World Cup winner speaking out, one who knows more than most what it’s like to make a mistake while in goal: Fabien Barthez.
Speaking to CNews in France, relayed by Foot01.com, he said: “It’s part of the goalkeeper’s role. The smallest error is critical and you pay for it immediately. He misses his clearance, and the Swedish player’s follow-up is perfect.
“I’m pro-Lloris. I’ll defend him to the end because I know him well professionally and personally. What happened, we all know what it’s like. It happens at every age, at any moment. Bouncing straight back is what’s essential, and I’m not worried about him doing that.”
While it was a costly mistake, it seems unlikely that Deschamps will change goalkeepers anytime soon.
With Steve Mandanda still out of the squad, we can’t exactly see Benoit Costil, Alphonse Aréola or young Alban Lafont supplanting him anytime soon.
The best thing Deschamps can do is play Lloris against England, and allow the Tottenham goalkeeper to make up for his mistake immediately.
