Hugo Lloris Wins More Praise as Lyon Go Through to Semis

Lyon's young French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris drew more strong praise last night as another confident performance helped Lyon through to the Champions League semifinals. Lloris, who was also outstanding in Lyon's unexpected victory over Real Madrid in the previous round of the competition, produced a spectacular save close to the end of the game to deny a second Bordeaux goal, and keep his side in the competition. Facing a firm header high to the top of the goal and his left, Lloris was able to react to fling a strong hand upwards to knock the ball away, leaving Bordeaux devastated.

Strong Praise

The goalkeeper's performances have not gone un-noted. Lyon boss Claude Puel was effusive after the game, praising Lloris as his side's "saviour" at the end of the match. He'll want to hang on tight to the French keeper, who joined Lyon two years ago from Nice for a fee of around €8.5 million. At the time, Lloris was strongly tied to a move to AC Milan, and reportedly agreed to terms, but pulled out of the move at the last minute in favour of a switch to Lyon. But speculation remains now about the goalkeeper's next move, with Juventus today linked to a summer transfer swoop, to replace the potentially departing goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon . 

Taking Lloris' Fine Form To South Africa 2010

With Lloris on such fine form, the French national side too will be glad to have him in the squad for the South Africa 2010 World Cup. Writing as an Englishman, it's a shame we don't have a goalkeeper of that quality at our disposal...