The France national team have thanked England for the tribute paid to victims of the Paris terrorism attacks at Wembley last night. It was more about solidarity.
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The atmosphere was calm on a wet and windy evening in London and there was no sense of panic among supporters, who appear intent on sending a defiant message of unity after at least 129 people died in a string of coordinated attacks in the French capital on Friday.
England manager Roy Hodgson embraced his counterpart Didier Deschamps before three floral tributes were laid in the technical areas by a group of dignitaries including HRH The Duke Of Cambridge, Prime Minister David Cameron, French Secretary Of State for Urban Affairs, Youth And Sport Patrick Kanner, FA chairman Greg Dyke and FFF President Noel Le Graet. “Obviously… I’m French. And when the French people are hurt, it hurts me too”, he said.
“We played against an effective English team and they caused us many problems”.
Understandably, after a traumatic few days, France found the going tough on the Wembley turf. It wasn’t easy for us. “We had a lack of aggression and concentration but I think maybe it’s a bit normal”, Lloris said.
“He was nearly faultless, he was outstanding”, Hodgson said of Alli, who was winning his fourth cap on his first start”.
“Again, I repeat: I am French and when something affects the French people, it affects me as well”.
Alli did squander a chance in the 19th minute but England skipper Wayne Rooney also sang his praises afterwards.
“To be involved in this occasion, especially for young players who were making their England debuts, was tough”.
His seventh minute shot flew just over Joe Hart’s crossbar.
None more so one feels than second half substitute Lassana Diarra, who suffered the painful loss of his cousin in the recent attacks in Paris.
Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain will play Saturday, but will be away from home at Lorient, while the weekend’s last game will be Saint-Etienne against Marseille on Sunday.
“It was a hard night for everyone, especially for the French players and staff”, Rooney said.
The teams emerged from the tunnel accompanied by mascots wearing both France and England kits and led by children carrying a black flag bearing the French motto “Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite” (freedom, equality, brotherhood).
Thierry Henry encouraged a show of solidarity at the England-France friendly.
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“I thought we achieved everything we wanted to achieve and then of course we had to put it aside and play a game of football and leave that side of it behind, because once the whistle goes it actually becomes about a game of football for us”.
