Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris ranked Los Angeles FC's chances of beating Chelsea in their Club World Cup opener on Monday as "thin" but said his team "have nothing to lose".
The MLS side are underdogs against the Premier League giants, who secured their return to the Champions League this season and won the UEFA Conference League.
"We have nothing to lose, especially against an opponent like Chelsea," Lloris, who signed for LAFC in 2024, told reporters Sunday in Atlanta.
"We want to compete, we want to give our best, even if we know that our chances are really thin.
"We just want to make our fans, our club, proud of us."
Lloris said LAFC had to "keep the focus high" in the clash in Atlanta, and be wary of the increased pace of the game in comparison to league football in the United States.
"This type of game is also an opportunity for us to over-perform," added the 38-year-old, a World Cup winner with France.
Los Angeles coach Steve Cherundolo said veterans Lloris and former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud, who also won the World Cup with Les Bleus in 2018, had offered a lot of advice to his largely young side.
"Both of them bring leadership, also by doing and not just in words," explained the coach.
"I think this year the players have had more of an ear for both of them, and those two have also had a voice - describing the speed of play, describing how certain teams, more specifically Chelsea play, the players they have, what to look out for."
The American coach said his team were fully prepared for the challenge posed by Enzo Maresca's side.
"I've learned when you start hoping as a coach, you're doomed," he said.
"It's kind of the beginning of the end. So we try not to hope, we prepare and have plans for everything that can come our way."
LAFC qualified for the tournament with a dramatic play-off win over Mexico's Club America to replace Club Leon, who were barred from the tournament by organisers FIFA for violating rules on multi-club ownership.
"It's a pleasure to be here and we don't see it as a challenge or an obstacle," added the coach.
"It's just a huge opportunity for us."
GaddafiJamal
0
hope you watch the match
Yh That’s Why I Said Ignore Him 🙄🤣
Kev-n
0
Ignore This One 🤣🤣
hope you watch the match
Kev-n
0
but you can't come out saying that it's impossible unless you nothing about football
😥🪣 fill your tears
Odogwo
1
expecting Chelsea to win with over 3.5
Kev-n
0
You don't deserve to be in that squad with that Tottenham Mentality?? Why not believing in yourself. That's not Tottenham
and if at least you understood what I wrote
Kev-n
0
You don't deserve to be in that squad with that Tottenham Mentality?? Why not believing in yourself. That's not Tottenham
and he can't just come out and say it like it's a must something
GaddafiJamal
0
some of una dun mental sha so you see them as the stronger side against Chelsea? that's totally madness NGL
Ignore This One 🤣🤣
GaddafiJamal
0
I wonder if you understood what Lorris said
Ask Again 🤣🤣
Ponbcipuyz
0
I wonder if you understood what Lorris said
Oh Yh
Moybenpuy
0
Chelsea has scored u back to back in the premier League so what are u talking about
I wonder if you understood what Lorris said
fupceiluyz
2
This Hugo Lloris guy still carries the loosing mentality of his former club, Tottenham Hotspur.Ofcourse,everyone knows that my most famous mighty Chelsea will give you a thrashing, but as a team captain,stop crying like a little sissy.🤫🤫🤫🤫🤫
Kiaadekpz
0
some of una dun mental sha so you see them as the stronger side against Chelsea? that's totally madness NGL
but you can't come out saying that it's impossible unless you nothing about football
Dinabckyz
0
some people are clowns. The man has accepted that they have minimal chances of beating chelsea but still some fools think he said they can beat Chelsea. Read and understand before you post stupid comments.
RazzNepal
1
Chelsea are once world club champions .... for sure we must reach final ... this year too...
Ponbcipuyz
0
Chelsea has scored u back to back in the premier League so what are u talking about
Dealmaker
2
Even when you are at spurs Ask yourself how many you normally concede from Chelsea Just making mouth fool !
tenbcdemt
0
no be for mouth
Kev-n
0
You don't deserve to be in that squad with that Tottenham Mentality?? Why not believing in yourself. That's not Tottenham
some of una dun mental sha so you see them as the stronger side against Chelsea? that's totally madness NGL
Kiaadekpz
4
You don't deserve to be in that squad with that Tottenham Mentality?? Why not believing in yourself. That's not Tottenham
Richardoghale
6
Keep dreaming Hugo Lloris, go ask Isco what happened the last time they played against us [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]