Milestones for Hugo, but 'not good to taste defeat' in Antwerp
Fri 30 October 2020, 12:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
Hugo Lloris made a little Spurs history in Antwerp on Thursday night - but it wasn’t time to celebrate.
Our captain and goalkeeper stepped out for his 60th European appearance for the Club, only the second player in our history to reach that total. He’s now just four behind the other player to reach 60, legendary former captain and UEFA Cup winner Steve Perryman, our all-time record appearance holder, who played 64 times for us in Europe. Harry Kane, already our record European goalscorer with 35, is now on 59 appearances.
In fact, it was the 100th European appearance of Hugo’s career, including 40 with Lyon, but, as always, the result defines the night, and things didn’t go our way in the Bosuilstadion.
All-time European appearances for Spurs - 50+
64 - Steve Perryman
60 - Hugo Lloris
59 - Harry Kane
58 - Aaron Lennon
56 - Jan Vertonghen
51 - Christian Eriksen
Royal Antwerp won the UEFA Europa League Group J encounter by the only goal on 29 minutes and despite knocking on the door and getting into all sorts of promising positions, we couldn’t find a way back into this second group match of six.
“It’s not good to feel the taste of defeat,” said Hugo. “We should have done better. We let them believe in the game. In the first half we didn’t put enough intensity into the performance, unfortunately conceded the goal and in the second half, even if we increased a bit, it wasn’t enough. The credit belongs to the opponent, but, I think, from the first minute, we should have given more.”
Standing pitch side for post-match interviews as the rain continued to pour down in Belgium, Hugo was only looking forward - to our next game in Group J at Ludogorets in Bulgaria next Thursday (5 November, 5.55pm UK), and more pressing, Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday (7.15pm).
Now our only thought is Brighton and try to do everything possible to get the first home win in the Premier League
“We want to focus on the next game (in the group) and win it,” added Hugo. “There are still four games to go in this stage and the target is to finish first. We make things complicated with this defeat, but we are still in the race and we will have to improve our performance.
“Now our only thought is Brighton and try to do everything possible to get the first home win in the Premier League.
"After the last two home games in the league (draws with Newcastle and West Ham) there was a lot of frustration, so after this defeat, it makes this game even more special, so let’s be sure we’re ready.”
