There was a spring in Florent Malouda's step when he returned to Cobham on Thursday following France's 2-1 win over England at Wembley.
The 30-year-old wide man put in an excellent display at the national stadium as an English side missing a number of important figures was easily outclassed. Reflecting at the club's training ground on Thursday, he attempted to play down the achievement, but could not prevent a smile creeping across his face.
'We didn't talk much about the game, my team-mates didn't play but I got congratulations from the staff and they are proud of the performance,' he said.
'In this period when you have friendly games you have injuries and leaders missing in the team, but you have to play them and it was a pleasure, I like Wembley!
'I think we made a big difference in the first half and were in control of the game. After that we scored again so the game was almost finished, we are really pleased because we have a young squad with no experience and it's a boost for our team. I know the expectations of the English fans and they are disappointed, but for us it was a great night. But now, that's it, we have a game coming on Saturday so we are already preparing for that.'
When he mentions England missing leaders on the field, Malouda could just as easily be referring to Chelsea, with English trio Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and John Terry all on the treatment table, joined by Alex, while Michael Essien is suspended for tomorrow's trip to Birmingham.
The former Lyon man believes this is no excuse for below-par performances, and wants to remove from memory Sunday's home defeat to Sunderland at the earliest opportunity.
'We are missing players but it is not a problem. When you play for Chelsea and lose the way we've lost at home, you expect a reaction from our players,' he declared.
'We have great characters and this is an opportunity to show it again. We are first and we have to make sure we are first after this game. It is always difficult to go to Birmingham and get a good result but we will do it, we have to be confident.
'We have to analyse what was wrong against Sunderland but I think everybody did it already,' the winger said. 'Sunday stayed in the mind, the way we lost, you must think about it, even though you are on international duty. I think that's what everybody did, and now we have to correct things.'
The 30-year-old wide man put in an excellent display at the national stadium as an English side missing a number of important figures was easily outclassed. Reflecting at the club's training ground on Thursday, he attempted to play down the achievement, but could not prevent a smile creeping across his face.
'We didn't talk much about the game, my team-mates didn't play but I got congratulations from the staff and they are proud of the performance,' he said.
'In this period when you have friendly games you have injuries and leaders missing in the team, but you have to play them and it was a pleasure, I like Wembley!
'I think we made a big difference in the first half and were in control of the game. After that we scored again so the game was almost finished, we are really pleased because we have a young squad with no experience and it's a boost for our team. I know the expectations of the English fans and they are disappointed, but for us it was a great night. But now, that's it, we have a game coming on Saturday so we are already preparing for that.'
When he mentions England missing leaders on the field, Malouda could just as easily be referring to Chelsea, with English trio Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and John Terry all on the treatment table, joined by Alex, while Michael Essien is suspended for tomorrow's trip to Birmingham.
The former Lyon man believes this is no excuse for below-par performances, and wants to remove from memory Sunday's home defeat to Sunderland at the earliest opportunity.
'We are missing players but it is not a problem. When you play for Chelsea and lose the way we've lost at home, you expect a reaction from our players,' he declared.
'We have great characters and this is an opportunity to show it again. We are first and we have to make sure we are first after this game. It is always difficult to go to Birmingham and get a good result but we will do it, we have to be confident.
'We have to analyse what was wrong against Sunderland but I think everybody did it already,' the winger said. 'Sunday stayed in the mind, the way we lost, you must think about it, even though you are on international duty. I think that's what everybody did, and now we have to correct things.'
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