World Cup 2010

Sidney Govou Backs Olympique Lyonnais Team-Mate Hugo Lloris To Shine For France

Lloris goes into a crucial fixture for his country off the back of conceding five goals in his last Ligue 1 match, but he has been backed to rebound swiftly...

Nov 13, 2009 4:08:32 PM

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Hugo Lloris (France)

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France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris approaches Saturday’s World Cup play-off encounter with the Republic of Ireland in inauspicious form, but Olympique Lyonnais club-mate Sidney Govou has backed the young custodian to excel for les Bleus.

After an excellent showing in OL’s Champions League draw with Liverpool at Stade Gerland, the 22-year-old shot stopper suffered a more difficult evening as les Gones tied with Olympique de Marseille in a 5-5 draw that will live long in the memory last Sunday.

Lloris was at fault for each of OM’s first two goals, but Govou, who will likely start for les Bleus on the right wing against the Boys in Green, is confident that the former Nice man will quickly shake off this issue.

“Hugo is fine,” he declared, according to Football365. “He conceded five goals in a match that was a little crazy, but we must not forget the circumstances.

“Hugo is a great goalkeeper - he has won many points and we win a lot. And he will be successful no matter what.”

Signed by OL for around €8.5 million in the summer of 2008, Lloris has been embroiled in a titanic struggle for the international gloves with Steve Mandanda. However, the OM goalkeeper was also between the sticks in last weekend’s high scoring draw and did his cause little good in the encounter, so the status quo is expected to be retained by France coach Raymond Domenech.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com