Mauricio Pochettino was “disappointed and annoyed” after Tottenham conceded two goals in the last five minutes to lose their Champions League opener against Inter Milan on Tuesday.
Spurs were the better side for most of the second half and took the lead when Christian Eriksen’s deflected shot looped over Samir Handanovic.
The game seemed to turn when Erik Lamela was substituted for Harry Winks, ridding Tottenham of a threat on the counter and giving the team less attacking impetus.
Inter began to grow into the contest and a stunning Mauro Icardi strike levelled the scores with four minutes to go.
Matias Vecino’s injury-time header broke Spurs hearts, and Pochettino was visibly gutted when interviewed by BT Sport after the match.
“I’m happy with the performance, we dominated but of course it’s cruel the lesson at the end because the team deserves more. It was the team’s best performance since the beginning of the season,” Pochettino said (via FourFourTwo).
“We’re so disappointed and annoyed because the players deserve more. In two actions we concede two goals. Until we concede the first goal the game was under control. After we conceded, everything can happen in a place like San Siro.
“Now it’s so important to look forward and try to understand that is football and when you’re in a negative period you have to bounce back.”
There were plenty of positives in Tottenham’s display but an inability to increase their lead cost the Londoners dearly in the end.
They now travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday hoping to avoid a fourth straight defeat in all competitions, which would be disastrous.
