France boss Didier Deschamps backs under-fire Hugo Lloris after pre-World Cup clangers
Spurs keeper has come in for stick after letting in soft goals goals against Italy and United States, but is set to start opening World Cup game against Australia
FRANCE boss Didier Deschamps will keep faith with Hugo Lloris despite his two mistakes in their World Cup warm-up games.
The Tottenham keeper failed to hold on to Mario Balotelli’s free-kick, allowing Leonardo Bonucci to score in the 3-1 win over Italy.
Lloris was beaten on his near post by Julian Green in the 1-1 draw against the United States in Lyon.
The 31-year-old’s place in goal for Les Bleus in Russia has been a big talking point ahead of the big Group C kick-off against Australia on Saturday in Kazan.
Marseille’s Steve Mandanda and Paris Saint-Germain’s Alphonse Areola are in reserve and pushing hard to give Deschamps a selection headache.
However, the French coach is not having any of the flak aimed at Lloris and declared he will stand by his 98-cap man.
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He said: “I won't comment on these criticisms. Hugo and I have spoken, we've gone back over his games and we've analysed them, it's a tough, ungrateful job.
“In Nice, his view was obstructed, it was a quick shot and he had little time to move his hands.
“He could have done better with the one against the United States, but I repeat the goalkeeper can be blamed when people believe he is responsible.
“It's very specific to goalkeepers. But Hugo has experience, he's seen it all before, this can happen any time.
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“Better for it to happen now than during the competition."
After facing the Aussies, France take on Peru in Yekaterinburg on June 21 and Denmark in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on June 26.