“From the 8th, a new competition will start”, warns Hugo Lloris

From our special correspondent in Budapest,

That was our little theory after the exciting qualification of the Netherlands and Belgium with nine points on Monday night. These teams are strong and France would be very upset if it had to face them tomorrow in the round of 16. But basically, don’t we see them more beautiful than they really are? What about the opposition in the group stage?

Even if, tomorrow, the Blues came out of their pool with four points, will they not have already faced the reigning European champion (Portugal), the 2014 world champion (Germany) and an unbeaten team? since eleven matches before the Euro (Hungary), which more is supported by a public of madmen? In other words, will they not be better armed for the future?

“A stronger stake to live”

What is certain, said Hugo Lloris in the Portugal-France watch conference, is “that from the round of 16, a new competition will start. There are nations like Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy which have shown great things. It allows them to gain confidence. But from the 8th there will be a much stronger stake to live and to play. “

Once we made the competition understand that it was better not to ignite too quickly before having experienced the pressure, the real one, it would be better for everyone that France wins or at least not not lose to the Portuguese on Wednesday night. “For confidence”, but also for the image sent to rivals. Because we can invent all the excuses that we want, in this game, for the moment, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium are the strongest.