30th June, 2014
France goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris reckons Monday’s round of 16 game between the Super Eagles and Les Blues could go down to the wire.
Les Blues have been in fearsome form in the tournament and are undefeated after their first three group games.
They are firm favourites against the African champions but Lloris believes things could get complicated against the Super Eagles.
“Certainly we (France) have done great things during the first phase but there is another competition. Each match may be the last. We should expect anything especially the possibility that the match against Nigeria continues until the lottery penalties,” Lloris told L’Equipe.
The Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper however wants his teammates to try to “make a difference” against the Super Eagles inside regulation time.
“Before thinking of penalties, there are 90 minutes or more. If we can make a difference before (penalties), it’s better.
“We have experienced players who operate in the big clubs that play Champions League. The most important is the state of mind of the players. This is what makes the difference,” he said.
Lloris is however full of respect for the Super Eagles and wants unity from his teammates if they are to seal a quarterfinal place.
“They (Nigeria) draw inspiration from their collective strength and rely heavily on power and physical challenge.
“They also have a lot of offensive skills, it goes fast. In two to three passes, they may find themselves in front of goal so we must be attentive,” he said.
Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps has warned France’s players they cannot think about anything but Monday’s last-16 encounter with Nigeria if they are to make a lasting impression on the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
France thrilled in their first two group games, beating Honduras 3-0 and crushing Switzerland 5-2, and although a much-changed side then drew 0-0 with Ecuador, they find themselves being discussed as potential champions.
However, Deschamps has told his squad not to start looking beyond Monday’s tie at Brasilia’s Mane Garrincha National Stadium and he batted away questions about France’s chances of winning the tournament in his pre-game press conference.
“My only concern is Nigeria in the last 16 and to make sure with my staff that we prepare the players for battle tomorrow (Monday),” he said. “There’s no point looking beyond that. Our rendezvous is tomorrow at one o’clock (local time).
“It’s not like the group phase, where you can make amends. The verdict falls at the end of the match. It’s a cup configuration, it’s the second phase of the competition. We prepare for the matches with the same seriousness, but at the end, either you stay or you go home.”
Centre-back Mamadou Sakho is a major doubt for France after a thigh injury forced him to train apart from the rest of the squad for the second day in succession on Sunday. If the Liverpool defender is deemed unfit, Laurent Koscielny will partner Raphael Varane at the heart of the French defence.
Yohan Cabaye is due to come into the team in place of Morgan Schneiderlin after missing the Ecuador game at the Maracana through suspension, but Paul Pogba’s place is under threat from Moussa Sissoko.
Having been rested against Ecuador, Mathieu Valbuena is also in line to return, while Deschamps must choose between Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud to complete France’s front line alongside three-goal Karim Benzema.