Dejan Lovren, the Croatian defender known for his time at Zenit St. Petersburg and later Lyon, shared his impressions of life in Russia and France during a recent interview on a YouTube channel hosted by journalist Vladimir Kolos. The veteran centre-back contrasted the two football cultures, highlighting culinary delights, climate, and everyday experiences that shaped his view of the countries where he built his career.
According to Lovren, France offers a compelling array of tastes and comforts. He noted that French bread stands out, with baguettes receiving special praise for their flavor and texture. He added that wine also enjoys widespread appreciation in France. While offering no disrespect to Russia, Lovren pointed to France as having certain advantages in the dining and drinking scene, attributes that contribute to the overall quality of life for football players living abroad. Beyond food and drink, he referenced the climate and the natural surroundings as factors that influenced his sense of home away from home. In his words, nature in Russia is lush and green, but the French countryside and urban landscapes left a strong impression as well. He also mentioned the warmth of the French hospitality and the way local traditions enrich daily life. Lovren described an appreciation for baths and saunas as part of his routine, noting that after his experiences in Russia, he began to visit baths and saunas more frequently as a way to relax and recover between matches.
Lovren’s club career has seen him play at two major European teams in Russia and France. He joined Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2020 after moving from Liverpool, a transfer that followed a successful period in England. During his time with Zenit, Lovren helped the club win the Russian Premier League title on two occasions, contributing to the blue-white-blue team’s strong domestic performances and European ambitions. His tenure in Russia marked a period of stability and championship success, reinforcing his status as a reliable defensive presence at the heart of Zenit’s back line.
On January 2, Lovren rejoined Lyon, a club with which he had previously spent three seasons from 2010 to 2013. His return to the French side added experience to Lyon’s defense as the team prepared for the rest of the campaign. While with Lyon during his latest spell, he contributed to the squad in Ligue 1, stepping onto the field for two league matches this season. Lyon, however, faced a challenging start to the campaign, finding themselves near the bottom of the table. The club stood in 18th place with three points after nine matches, underscoring the uphill battle to climb the standings in France’s top flight. The early results highlighted the demanding nature of European football and the pressure on both players and the coaching staff to deliver performances that can turn the season around.
Regarding his leadership and the club environment, Lovren has faced moments that tested his resilience. In a noted incident linked to a broader context of security concerns surrounding professional football teams, Lyon reportedly dealt with an attack on the club’s bus that led to medical attention for some of the players and staff. Lovren, who received medical stitches as part of the aftermath, stood as part of a squad that navigated the emotional and logistical challenges that such events impose on a squad’s cohesion and focus. The episode underscored how football increasingly intersects with safety considerations and the importance of quick, calm responses to protect players and staff on the road and inside training facilities.
Throughout his career, Lovren has demonstrated versatility and leadership, adapting to different leagues, teammates, and tactical systems. His experiences in the Russian Premier League and Ligue 1 illustrate the broader arc of a player who has repeatedly embraced new challenges, contributed to successful campaigns, and offered a calm, organized presence at the back. Off the pitch, his reflections on living in multiple European cities reveal a mindset oriented toward growth and professional development, recognizing how cuisine, climate, culture, and wellness practices like baths and saunas can influence preparation and performance. For fans and analysts, Lovren’s comments provide a rare, candid glimpse into the personal side of professional football life in two prominent leagues and the ways in which a player integrates those experiences into his ongoing career.