For his return to the Champions League, after two years of absence, Spurs want to start Wednesday “in the best way” against Marseille (9:00 p.m.), goalkeeper Hugo Lloris warned on Tuesday.
A new adventure
Hugo Lloris (Tottenham goalkeeper and captain): “It’s a new adventure for the club. It’s been two years since we played this competition and we’re all excited to be in it. But we must dispute it with ambition. (…) We know that, in this competition, everything is a question of details, it is very high level football. All the teams involved, all the players, will try to give their best, so it will take a lot of concentration. But we will try to start in the best possible way, with a victory.
The C1, “natural habitat” of the big clubs
Antonio Conte (Tottenham coach): “You know very well that it is not easy to lift a European trophy, especially in C1. Two years ago I lost in the Europa League final with Inter Milan against Sevilla but in my heart, in my mind, there is always the will to be successful in Europe (…) But a lot depends on the team you manage, because in this type of competition, experience and history are very important (…) Real Madrid, when their players play in the Champions League, they are at home, they smell the atmosphere and they know how to handle situations and, probably, they will reach the semi-finals every year. These teams live in these competitions, it is their natural habitat. And there are the teams that build, step by step but with ambition. We must try to grow with ambition by going to all the matches to fight and win.
“Closing the gap” with the best
Hugo Lloris: “I think the club is going in the right direction but we know there is room for improvement and it takes a lot of effort and concentration from all the players. We will try to reduce the gap with the best European teams and the best in England (…) We know that there are many competitive clubs in England and in Europe. But we believe in it and that’s the most important thing. We feel that we are ready to do battle, we feel that we are improving. But it’s never enough, you always have to prove things to yourself and cross your limits if you want to succeed.
“To please the supporters and ourselves”
Antonio Conte: “Last season we did a fantastic job, the club and the players (…) so above all we have to take advantage of this European competition. It is obvious that we want to try to do our best and you know what I think: you have to play with ambition and with conviction and will to exist in this Champions League. We know it’s the toughest competition in the world, but it’s a great opportunity to show that we’re going in the right direction and to take a step forward. We want to improve and please the fans and ourselves.”