LONDON (AFP) - Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham have shaken off the fatigue from their gruelling schedule as they prepare to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.
Pochettino was frustrated that Tottenham had to play their Premier League match against Leicester on Sunday, while Dortmund were in action 24 hours earlier against Hoffenheim.
The Tottenham boss claimed over the weekend that the extra day of rest for the Bundesliga leaders could put his team at a "massive disadvantage" in the first leg at Wembley.
Adding to Pochettino's frustration, Dortmund have also benefited from a refreshing winter break, while Tottenham have been damaged by injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli following the draining Christmas and New Year programme.
But, aware of the dangers of giving his players a ready-made excuse for under-performing, Pochettino was keen to accentuate the positive.
"I've described before, or in the last few days, that it was a little bit unfair (the schedule)," Pochettino told reporters on Tuesday (Feb 12).
"But that is not an excuse (not) to arrive tomorrow in our best condition and fight to try to win. I think you can feel in the eyes of the players the energy."
Tottenham beat Dortmund twice in the Champions League group stage last season but they will face more formidable opponents this time.
Dortmund sit on top of the Bundesliga with a vibrant squad including young England forward Jadon Sancho.
Pochettino is well aware of the threat posed by the Germans as he tries to lead Tottenham into the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time in his five-year reign.
But, despite the absence of Kane and Alli, they have reeled off four successive wins to stay in the Premier League title race.
And Pochettino expects his side to rise to the occasion in the same never-say-die style they displayed in the group stage this term.
ENERGY AND MOTIVATION
It took late goals against PSV Eindhoven, Inter Milan and Barcelona for Tottenham to make the last 16 by the skin of their teeth.
"We were talking in the meeting before and it's completely different (in big games)," Pochettino said.
"If you ask me why, I don't know, because I'm a person whose own motivation is always high, when we play against Dortmund or Barcelona or we play against different (teams) in different competitions.
"But of course you can feel that it's the Champions League, that it's going to be a massive game with, I hope, a full stadium at Wembley and of course the energy and motivation is going to be there."
Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen has already seized on Pochettino's upbeat message.
Recalling Tottenham's group-stage win over Real Madrid last season, Vertonghen says the north Londoners have no reason to fear any team in Europe if they play at their best.
"We can beat anyone. We have shown that last year. Over two games we were the better team against Real Madrid, who were the eventual winners of the trophy," he said.
There was frustration for Tottenham at this stage of the Champions League last season when they conceded two second-half goals to crash out against Juventus after they had looked to have the tie in their control.
That painful memory will motivate Vertonghen and company against Dortmund.
"That is why it was a shame we could not do better last year because we felt we should have done better," he said.
"That is why everyone has the feeling we can do it this year."
But Geylang International Under-18 midfielder Azri Suhaili impressed their senior team's coach Mohd Noor Ali so much that he lasted the full match, becoming the youngest player to do so in the
Mikey Harris: Salisbury manager unfazed at being youngest
Leicester City Welcome Brendan Rodgers With Win, Newcastle
Watch Chicago Cubs on Apple Devices (iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad) To watch Chicago Cubs games live on your Apple device download the MLB At Bat iPhone app and MLB At Bat iPad app then sign up for MLB.TV. MLB At Bat features a MLB.TV Free Game of the Day, and in-Game Highlights.
How to Watch The Chicago Cubs Live Without Cable in 2019
I take this step in the best interests of the company I love." according to Rashad mayor Lious al-Fandi. Our policy actions have to be determined by our best
Real Madrid 1-4 Ajax: Brilliant visitors knock out Champions League holders Football Daily podcast: Real Madrid crash out but Spurs progress It is the first time Ajax have progressed in a
Real Madrid have signed Serbia striker Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt for 60 million euros ($67 million), television channel Sky Germany said on Thursday. Jovic, 21, scored 10 goals for the German side in their run to the Europa League semi-finals where they were knocked out by Chelsea on penalties and has netted 17 times in the Bundesliga.
Real Madrid sign Jovic for $97 million - report - msn.com
Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri says the club can do "very well next season" if Gonzalo Higuain stays at Stamford Bridge The Argentina international was on target in Chelsea's 3-0 win against
Sarri: Higuain must earn permanent Chelsea deal - mau.co.ke
Banks was best known for the stunning one-handed save from a Pele bullet header that bounced awkwardly in front of him during England's group-stage game against Brazil at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
Players and fans pay tribute as England World Cup-winning
Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina remains under observation in hospital but is improving after his frightening collapse following a knock to the head in an Italian league game at the weekend, his
Napoli 'keeper Ospina out of hospital after head injury scare
Football: Barcelona on verge of La Liga title after beating Alaves BARCELONA (REUTERS) - Barcelona have one hand firmly on the La Liga title after winning 2-0 at Alaves on Tuesday (April 23), leaving them 12 points clear at the top of the table with four games to play.
Barcelona on verge of Liga title after beating Alaves - CNA
Madrid will deploy an unprecedented number of police and security personnel for Saturday's all-English Champions League final, and use a drone for the first time to monitor fan activity.
Our Tampines Hub to screen Champions League final - Virginia Bus
virginiabus.info/sports/our-tampines-hub-to-screen-champions-league-final/
SINGAPORE - Our Tampines Hub will be screening the Uefa Champions League final for free on Sunday (June 2). Tampines residents and visitors to the Hub can catch the 3am game between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at the Town Square, which can seat 5,000 and will be open to full capacity to allow as many […]
Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English Champions
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/05/30/madrid-plans-robust-security-for-all-english-champions-league-final/
Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English Champions League final AFP May 30, 2019 AFP No Comments Madrid (AFP) - Madrid will deploy an unprecedented number of police and security personnel for Saturday's all-English Champions League final, and use a drone for the first time to monitor fan activity.
Champions League » News » Madrid plans 'robust' security for
ǁFacebook:
Pep Guardiola wants the pain of Manchester City's gut-wrenching Champions League elimination at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur to inspire a charge for an unprecedented domestic treble. Guardiola's
Guardiola hopes Champions League pain spurs on Manchester
Football: Real Madrid end awful campaign with 12th league loss, benched Bale may have played last game. while they lost 12 league games for the first time since the 1998-99 campaign.
Football: Real Madrid end awful campaign with 12th league
allmysportsnews.com/soccer/football-real-madrid-end-awful-campaign-with-12th-league-loss-benched-bale-may-have-played-last-game/
Football: Real Madrid end awful campaign with 12th league loss, benched Bale may have played last game Posted on 05/19/2019 MADRID (REUTERS) - Real Madrid's harrowing season came to a fittingly miserable end on Sunday (May 19) as they slumped to a staggering 12th La Liga defeat, losing 2-0 at home to Real Betis as many fans left the stadium
Real Madrid end campaign with 12th league defeat - msn.com
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen