Mauricio Pochettino has said he is disappointed and proud in equal measure after Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League final defeat to Liverpool.
Spurs lost 2-0 in Madrid, with Mohamed Salah’s early penalty and Divock Origi’s late strike proving decisive on the night.
Pochettino left semi-final hero Lucas Moura on the bench, but it’s impossible to say whether the Brazilian would have affected the game more had he started – check out our player ratings here.
Tottenham were the better team for long stretches of the game but ultimately failed to create enough meaningful chances.
After the match, Pochettino entered the media zone before Jurgen Klopp and gave an honest press conference to the waiting reporters.
The Spurs boss couldn’t hide his disappointment but expressed pride in his players after an incredible journey to the final.
“Now is impossible to talk. We are so disappointed. We are so proud,” Pochettino said (via Football London).
“Our players and our fans gave everything in the final game of the season. Overall I thought we dominated the game and created some chances, but we didn’t score. It was so painful but at the same time we need to be calm in the way that we analyse things. We did so well this season.
“We want to congratulate Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp and their players. They made a fantastic season. We need to be clever now and after a very painful game like this it’s about being building for the next period of your life.”
On his future, Pochettino said: “I think it’s not a moment now to talk too much. You can interpret things in different ways. People want to compare me with different managers but we are in a different project in a different place. After five years in Tottenham it was so clear the project.
“Our ambition was amazing and the commitment of our players amazing, providing us with our first ever Champions League final. Now it’s to be calm, change our mind and have time to talk.”
The final ended up being one game too far for Tottenham, but it was an incredible ride all the same.
Spurs fans can be very proud of Pochettino and the players for what they have achieved in Europe this season.
Now it’s up to the club to back Pochettino in the transfer market this summer in order to challenge again next term.
