© EuroFootball.com
Before leaving for Lithuania, Florent Malouda, one of the "Les Bleus" veterans, shared his thoughts with French journalists. The 26-year-old defender, who has represented his country 26 times, was cautious in the interview and insisted that the most important thing for his team in the meeting in Kaunas is not to relax.
It is almost impossible for the French national team to slip up against Scotland. What are your thoughts before the match against Lithuania?
I think we need to be cautious, as we need to remember that Lithuania played on par with Italy. That says a lot. We should forget about the reputations of the teams and start with the simple things. A week of preparation for these matches has been very valuable for us.
Raymond Domenech explained the losses to Scotland and Argentina as complacency. Do you agree with that statement?
I wouldn't quite agree with that. There is a difference between the two matches. In Scotland, everyone felt disappointed, as we lost after conceding one goal despite dominating. Losses are always explained by several factors. We lacked realism and failed to react properly. However, I think everyone is concerned and understands the importance of the match with Lithuania. We can't afford to drop points. We are preparing for tough games, and that should help us solve the problems.
Has the loss to Scotland still lingered in your minds?
No. Everything in the qualifying matches depends on the end result. The most important thing is to move forward without dwelling on the past. We need to stay focused on the matches ahead, even if we tried to analyze our mistakes. Disappointment needs to be forgotten.
Saturday's match can be dangerous in many ways. How do you avoid that?
You can make mistakes by not taking the match seriously. But if you are alert and focused, you can avoid complacency. From the team's gathering, I feel that everyone is ready for this mission.
How do you prepare for a match against an unknown opponent?
It doesn’t change much, the opponents still need to be analyzed in the same way. First, opponents are analyzed by watching videos, but you need to be conscious and understand the difference between the videos and reality on the field. It's related to motivation and the desire to play against a stronger team on paper. We need to expect that and not rely solely on wearing the French national team jerseys for the victory.
Do you expect a tough game against your opponents?
Anything could happen. Lithuania also has good players. It can be difficult for any team if the opponent is allowed to play. We need to be prepared to react to all possible events.
Would a goalless draw be a failure?
Yes, we only think about winning, no matter the match. We have already experienced failure in Scotland. Now the most important thing is the result.
You are one of eight "Lyon" players in the national team. Will the negative impacts be felt, given that the club is not performing as well in 2007 as in the past?
I don’t know, it probably doesn't often have an impact on the French national team. In the "Lyon" team, we understand that things are more difficult, but the context and organizations are different. In any case, there is a psychological freshness, and if we achieve the same results as with "Lyon", everything will be fine.
