Lloris Better Than Chelsea Goalie, Says Giroud

Thibaut Courtois. Getty Images

France striker Olivier Giroud has said his country’s skipper Hugo Lloris is a better goalkeeper than Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois.

France and Belgium will meet at the semi-final of the competition on Tuesday and Giroud who plays with Courtois in Chelsea, hopes to score against him in the clash.

“They have the same right foot,” he said in Russia on Sunday. “They don’t use it much.

“Thibaut has an impressive wingspan. It’s hard to beat him on the sides. He can stop balls in any area.

“I have scored a few goals against him in training with Chelsea and I hope I can do it on Tuesday.

“They’re both great keepers. And they both deserve to be elected as best keeper of the tournament, even if I have a preference for Hugo.

“The best is Hugo. Sorry Thibaut.”