Mauricio Pochettino and Hugo Lloris have been speaking to the press ahead of the second leg of Tottenham’s Champions League last-16 tie with Juventus.
Spurs drew 2-2 in the first leg in Turin, meaning they have a slight advantage for the return game at Wembley on Wednesday night.
Here’s what we learned from the press conference.
Lloris is taking nothing for granted
The Tottenham goalkeeper echoed Harry Kane’s words from earlier in the week, suggesting the slight advantage doesn’t mean Spurs can play for a draw.
“We expect a tough game, another battle. We will start the game in the same way as usual,” he said. (All quotes via ESPN).
“The target is to win the game, enjoy our football, put the right energy with help of the crowd. It’s the best way to enjoy this competition.
“If you think too much, play for a draw, especially against an experience like Juve, you can be in trouble. The best way is to start sharp as we’re used to at home, and the best way is to enjoy it.”
Pochettino is a big fan of Gonzalo Higuain
Huguain scored twice in the opening nine minutes in the first leg, but he also missed a penalty and another good chance to increase Juventus’ lead.
Regardless of those errors, Pochettino insisted Spurs will have to be wary of the threat his countryman poses.
“Higuain is one of the greatest strikers in the world, for me he’s one of the best with Harry Kane,” said Pochettino.
“Sometimes it’s not easy to stop him like Dybala or Messi, this type of player. But of course Juventus is a great team but also with all the players that we are going to play against tomorrow.”
The players have been encouraged to play with freedom
Pochettino thinks Tottenham need to “feel free” is they stand a chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.
“We face tomorrow one of the best teams in the history of football, that played two Champions League finals in the last three years. It will be a fantastic battle. Only we need to give our best and don’t think too much about the consequences of the result,” he said.
“Only we need to feel free. If we feel free, we are going to perform at our best. If we perform our best, we are going to have the possibility to win.
“I’m confident the team is mature enough, we’re in very good enough form, I’m sure we’re going to try to achieve big things until the end of the season if we follow this way.”
[…] three things we learned from the press conference here, and watch the full event […]
The goal is to win the match, enjoy our football, and, with the support of the spectators, bring the appropriate enthusiasm. That’s how you should appreciate this competition the most. Thanks!