Hugo Lloris says Tottenham needed to experience Champions League failure - 'Success is a process'

Playing the long game: Hugo Lloris
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Sam Long20 April 2017

Hugo Lloris insists Tottenham needed to experience Champions League failure this season as the club attempts to force its way into Europe's elite.

Spurs came up short in a Group consisting of Monaco, Bayer Leverkusen and CSKA Moscow, with a total of just seven points consigning Mauricio Pochettino's side to an early exit.

The north Londoners are on course to secure their place in next season's tournament, courtesy of a top-four finish, and will have aspirations to qualify for the knock-out stages for only the second time in their history.

Such an achievement is a regular occurrence for the continent's biggest sides but Lloris is adamant he and his teammates cannot expect to skip a learning curve on the path towards success.

"At some other clubs, in England, France, Spain, Italy or Germany, they are used to winning a lot of trophies," Lloris told ESPN FC.

"They are big institutions and all the players respect those institutions.

"That's the way to follow, but you cannot arrive one day and say, 'I want to change everything', and then win.

"You need to take time, build up something strong step-by-step, and you need to live through experiences.

"Even like this season - in the Champions League it was a failure but we need to go through this kind of moment to improve. It's a process."

Lloris has cited Pochettino's presence as a key factor behind his decision to sign a new long-term contract at White Hart Lane.

But the France international's happiness has also been contributed to by a dressing room full of like-minded players determined to build something special.

"Around me I feel players who are motivated and involved towards the club," Lloris added.

"We share the same values as men and as footballers and I really enjoy my time at Tottenham.

"It's an interesting time - we are close to the end of the season and we are still involved in two competitions and we want to go as far as possible."

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