'Today's a little better' - Mauricio on lifting the players after Juve

Mauricio Pochettino has explained how he’s managed a squad of disappointed players after our Champions League exit against Juventus.

Level at 2-2 from the first leg in Turin, we took control at Wembley and the lead overall for the first time in the tie when Heung-Min Son fired us ahead on 40 minutes.

However, it all changed in three minutes in the second half as goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala put the Italians ahead on the night and on aggregate. That’s how it stayed.

The players were straight back to business on Thursday and after training on Friday, Mauricio explained that ‘yesterday was worse, today a little better and I’m sure tomorrow will be better’ as the players prepare to meet Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.

“The most important thing is that it’s a private and personal process,” said Mauricio.

“How you feel, only you know. How you manage that disappointment, only you can change that energy and that feeling.

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“For us, the most important thing is not to put too much pressure on the players, that they breathe, that they recover and of course, start to prepare for the game at the weekend.

“It was a massive disappointment because the Champions League was a dream for us and we played so well but now it’s a moment to stop thinking about Juventus and start thinking about Bournemouth.

“The players are okay, they started to feel better in the training session today and we are here to try to lift them and try to help them.

“I feel proud and of course it’s hard but we need to keep going and try to be competitive again and ready to compete at the weekend.”