France demands more from Pogba, says captain Lloris

Marseille (AFP) – France captain Hugo Lloris said the team wants a better performance from star midfielder Paul Pogba if picked for their second Euro 2016 match against Albania on Wednesday.

Juventus star Pogba came under fire for his poor display in France’s opening 2-1 victory over Romania on Friday.

“I don’t have to say if I’ve spoken to Paul or not but it’s obvious we’ll be expecting more from him,” Lloris told a press conference on Tuesday ahead of the Group A game in Marseille.

“It was our first match. The most important thing was that we won, and he, just like the team, is only going to get better,” added Lloris.

“I have no doubt he’ll be there for us when we need him most.”

Pogba is one of the most watched players at the Championship final and some observers have suggested the pressure has got to him Friday.

Pogba and striker Antoine Griezmann were substituted in the opening match and coach Didier Deschamps could replace him with Moussa Sissoko for the Albania match. At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Pogba played the first game but only came on as a substitute in France’s second match, a 5-2 victory over Switzerland.

Deschamps was less than complimentary about Pogba after Friday’s match.

“I’m not going to be too hard on him but clearly his (Pogba’s) potential is such that he can contribute a lot more than he did tonight.”