HUGO LLORIS INTERVIEW
"I knew it was one of the key moments in the game
but thankfully for us, we didn't concede that goal and we
managed to keep a clean sheet which made the difference
in the contest."
Then, two weeks later we headed to the Etihad Stadium
for the return leg and no one could have predicted the
drama that would unfold in front of our eyes.
Two goals for each side in the opening 11 minutes saw
us remain in the lead on aggregate but strikes either side
of half-time from Raheem Sterling and Aguero put us on
the back-foot. Substitute Fernando Llorente then scored
to set us on course again for the semi-finals however, in
the closing seconds of the game, Sterling grabbed another
and it looked like we were heading out.
That was until the referee reviewed the play leading to
the goal and ruled it out for offside, sending us through to
the competition's final four on away goals.
"It was a crazy night. A crazy game. We spent a lot of
energy in that game, in terms of emotions and effort," the
32-year-old continued.
"We went through so many different feelings. We were
going through, then not, then we were again and at the end
there was the goal disallowed for offside and I think for
a few seconds we were all down. It's difficult to describe
the feeling at that moment of the game but thankfully for
us, the referee's decision helped us."
A Champions League semi-final is a stage Hugo knows
well having been here with Lyon back in 2010.
Toby Alderweireld and Llorente have both also
reached this stage of the competition before but, while
he admits experience of these situations does have some
bearing, Hugo feels it is important that we concentrate
on the beliefs that got us to this stage in order to go
even further.
"The experience is very important, but it doesn't make
the game," he explained. "First of all, we need to stick to
the basics and our principles, with the philosophy which
has helped us reach this level.
"Over the last few years, we have reached this level
thanks to these basics and then of course, we have all
the responsibilities as players to try to help the team to
make the difference.
"I think the key is to finish both legs without any
regrets. To give our best, play our football and try not
to think about the context of the situation, even if
that is not easy."
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