Hugo Lloris claims 'adrenaline' will help France push through virus
Hugo Lloris says the ‘adrenaline’ of playing in a World Cup final will help France push through as a virus sweeps through their squad – as he insists their clash with Argentina is ‘not just about Lionel Messi’
- Adrien Rabiot, Dayot Upamecano and Kingsley Coman all missed the semi-final
- Defenders Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate missed training on Friday
- Hugo Lloris claims Sunday’s final will come down to more than just Lionel Messi
- READ: Didier Deschamps confirms Karim Benzema will not play in Sunday’s final
- READ: Can Kylian Mbappe ever hope to reach Lionel Messi’s god-like status?
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
France captain Hugo Lloris believes the ‘adrenaline and excitement’ of a World Cup final with Argentina will ensure all his team-mates are fit to play, despite illness affecting several members of the squad.
On the eve of the showpiece event in Qatar, Les Bleus have a number of players suffering with illness as they aim to retain their status as world champions.
Defenders Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate did not train on Friday with the pair reportedly the latest to be struck down after Adrien Rabiot, Dayot Upamecano and Kingsley Coman felt unwell for Wednesday evening’s 2-0 semi-final win over Morocco.
Hugo Lloris was adamant that the French squad would all be fit for Sunday’s World Cup final
Rabiot watched the game from the team hotel while Upamecano and Coman were unused substitutes as head coach Didier Deschamps revealed after the game his plans to isolate anyone showing signs of illness away from the rest of his squad.
Neither Lloris nor Deschamps would be drawn on offering any updates on the status of the squad when they addressed the media on Saturday morning.
But Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris insisted the magnitude of the occasion should see everyone raring to go against Lionel Messi-led Argentina.
Ibrahima Konate and Raphael Varane are the latest players to come down with the illness
Varane has started every game since the opening match win over Australia after picking up an injury in the run up to the tournament
‘We are going to try and do our best in spite of the circumstances,’ he said.
‘I think thanks to the adrenaline and the excitement we will feel we will all be fit enough and ready to do whatever we can to win this last battle.
‘In the past we have proved that French teams who have been successful have always based that success on a strong team spirit.
‘So we try to draw from that, there is a very good feeling in the camp since the beginning of the tournament and there is no reason why that shouldn’t be the same again tomorrow.
Kingsley Coman and Dayot Upamecano were also afflicted but both made the bench on Wednesday
‘You’re never really prepared for that type of thing but we are trying to get ready for this match the best we can, these are things for which we weren’t necessarily prepared but we remain focused and of course we are very excited to play in a World Cup final.’
France can make history at Lusail Stadium on Sunday, where victory would see them become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy.
Adriem Rabiot watched the semi-final from a hotel as he was out with illness
Deschamps, however, admits the romance of Messi leading Argentina to glory at his final World Cup means he and his players have to accept the role of outsiders.
‘I often get that feeling but I’m fine being alone, it doesn’t bother me,’ said the 54-year-old, who led France to victory in Russia four years ago and captained the team in 1998.
‘These uncertainties always arrive. We are here and we have done everything we can to be well prepared for tomorrow’s game against Argentina.
‘In a World Cup final especially, if you have the match and a whole context behind that, the objective is to come out with the title.
‘I know that Argentina and many people around the world, even some French people as well, hope that Lionel Messi will win the World Cup – but we are going to do everything to achieve our objective.
‘Only one team will come out with a third star on their shirt after tomorrow’s game.’
Captain Hugo Lloris said the game was bigger than just Messi, however.
‘The event is too important to focus on one player. It’s a final between two great nations,’ he said.
Didier Deschamps confirmed that Karim Benzema will not make a comeback to the team on Sunday
‘When you face this kind of player (Messi), you have to pay attention to him, but this game is not just about him.’
France have shown they can adapt to any kind of team, which could be a big asset against Argentina, who have tested out several systems during the World Cup.
‘You have to be willing to suffer at times. You have to make the most of the good situations, too,’ said Lloris.
‘Tomorrow there will be a game plan to respect. We are still studying this team and preparing for this big game. There are always things we are not prepared for.
Les Bleus will become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup if they can get past Lionel Messi’s Argentina on Sunday
‘To face that we need a perfect mindset, to be ready to go above and beyond. We know that we are capable of playing with possession and on the counter-attack. We have a lot of fast players offensively. The strength of our team is that we can adapt to any type of scenario.’
Asked to compare the 2018 final against Croatia and Sunday’s match against Argentina, Lloris refused to look back.
‘We want to write our own story. We want to finish it in the best way possible. As long as nothing is done, the hardest part is still to come,’ he said.
‘We have to be ready to surpass ourselves, to make the effort despite the circumstances with the virus, despite the fatigue. We must finish the job’
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