BARCELONA • Mauricio Pochettino hailed his players for achieving "mission impossible" after Tottenham completed an improbable turnaround to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday.
The 1-1 draw at Barcelona put the exclamation point on Spurs' European campaign to consign their nightmare start in Group B to distant memory.
Pochettino's men had garnered only a point from their opening three games, but arrived at the Nou Camp knowing that Inter Milan had to better their result to go through.
The Spanish champions had already qualified as group winners and their much-changed line-up gave the away fans hope with Barca coach Ernesto Valverde handing Juan Miranda and Carles Alena their Champions League debuts.
Munir El Haddadi played up front while Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Sergio Busquets all dropped to the bench as Valverde opted to rest his regulars ahead of the Spanish champions' LaLiga trip to Levante on Sunday.
But Spurs' plight looked bleak when Ousmane Dembele's sensational individual strike put them on the back foot in the group decider.
Yet Lucas Moura's late leveller ensured the Premier League club would reach the knockout phase for only the third time in their history. They were indebted, however, to PSV Eindhoven, who held Inter to a surprise 1-1 draw at the San Siro.
After sneaking above the Italian Serie A side due to a better head-to-head record, Pochettino declared it was a "massive motivation" with Spurs' new stadium expected to be ready when the last-16 ties take place in February.
NEVER SAY NEVER
I'm so happy, so proud, I remember that after PSV, no one believed in us, it was mission impossible but we are here, we're in the next round.
MAURICIO POCHETTINO, Tottenham manager, on his team's achievement especially after collecting only a point at the halfway mark of three games.
"I'm so happy, so proud, I remember that after PSV, no one believed in us, it was mission impossible but we are here, we're in the next round," he told reporters.
"It's a massive achievement for the club, we're happy for the fans here and around the world, it's a massive boost for the club, to be able to play in the knockout rounds next year in the new stadium."
The Argentinian admitted that he and his players were caught in two minds over whether to try to hold on for the draw or seek a winner after news filtered through about Mauro Icardi's second-half equaliser for Inter.
Hirving Lozano had opened the scoring for Dutch champions PSV.
"It was difficult to manage the last 10 minutes. The players knew the result of Inter, but it is difficult to translate what to do to the field," he said.
"You have to score to win but, if you concede and lose the game, maybe you talk in a different way afterwards."
The manager also felt progression from a group that had opponents of genuine European pedigree ranked among his greatest achievements since taking over Spurs in 2014.
"It was so difficult to manage everything inside, but we made a fantastic effort. To see and celebrate with everyone after four years and a half was great, it was the first time I felt something really special," he added.
"The connection is amazing, but we need to be clever about how we manage that energy tonight."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Interest Barcelona (Spain), Feb. 21, 2019 (Reuters/NNN) Spanish La Liga's organising body says it does not expect its President, Javier Tebas, to jump ship to the English Premier League (EPL). The declaration was in response to British media reports that the Spaniard has emerged as a candidate to become the English top-flight's chief executive.
LaLiga unaware of Premier League interest in Tebas
Higuain has scored only once since October. Chelsea have signed Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain on loan for the remainder of the season with an option to buy him for 36m euros (£31.3m).
Gonzalo Higuain joins Chelsea on loan from Juventus
Some giant-killings are bigger than others, and the efforts of both Lincoln and Sutton could well earn them a money-spinning tie against one of the Premier League's big names. Not to jinx Sutton: but two non-league teams have never made it to the FA Cup fifth round in same year (post-1945) — Alan Smith (@alansmith90) January 29, 2017
Amond's late penalty gives Newport County shock FA Cup win
What's gone wrong for Chelsea? 5 ways Maurizio Sarri can prevent crisis. The Blues suffered a setback vs Wolves with the Italian under pressure ahead of the Man City clash
Sarri proved beyond doubt who's in charge at Chelsea by
Pogba has scored seven spot-kicks this season but still coolly tucked away the crucial two penalties Pogba's best season - the key stats from the spot for United in a single season. Pogba
Man Utd: What is the problem with Paul Pogba - and what is
PAUL POGBA has sent a message of support Moise Kean's way following the sickening racial abuse the forward received during Juventus' match against Cagliari on Tuesday night.
Cher is back on the charts with 'Woman's World' | Crime News
Football: Tottenham take revenge on Arsenal to reach League Cup semis LONDON (REUTERS) - Tottenham Hotspur gained revenge over north London rivals Arsenal as goals by Son Heung-min and Dele Alli earned a 2-0 victory on Wednesday (Dec 19) to put them into the League Cup semi-finals.
Parris and White strike to give England victory over Scotland
Sadio Mane scored twice to hand Liverpool a 3-1 victory at Bayern Munich on Wednesday that sent them through to the Champions League quarter-finals. ease past Bayern 3-1 to reach last eight. 2
Liverpool ease past Bayern 3-1 to reach last eight - bdnews24.com
However, in a statement published on their official website, the Premier League did not shy away from condemning such changes. They wrote: " The Premier League and our clubs today unanimously reaffirmed our strong opposition to the proposed reform of UEFA club competitions from 2024, which would alter the structure, calendar and competitiveness of league football.
EPL clubs opposed to European changes - theworldnews.net
LONDON • Jose Mourinho has appeared to suggest Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has become "a puppet" at Manchester United, with the former manager alluding to certain players having too much power.. Read
Salty Language Episode 52 - Puppet Show - YouTube
Cristiano Ronaldo is at risk of missing a place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in nine years as Juventus look to overcome a two-goal deficit at home to Atletico
Serie A: Napoli draw puts Juve coronation on hold. Published April 7, 2019. Kindly Share This Story. during the Italian Serie A football match between Napoli and Genoa. Photo: AFP.
Serie A: Napoli draw puts Massimiliano Allegri's Juventus
Football: Rafael Benítez fumes as Wolves deny Newcastle with another stoppage-time equaliser. Newcastle United's Spanish manager Rafael Benitez is seen before the match against Wolverhampton
Rafael Benítez fumes after Wolves deny Newcastle with
Football: Liverpool's miracle comeback trumps Spurs', say fans in Singapore straitstimes.com - SAZALI ABDUL AZIZ Virgil van Dijk Claims 'Anything Is Still Possible' as Liverpool & Man City Prepare for Title Finale
Football Raddy Avramovic Could Make Shock Return To Singapore
0 comments:
Post a Comment