City v Spurs - Mauricio's second leg preview

“So far, so good… but anything can happen.” That’s how Mauricio Pochettino sees our Champions League quarter-final tie with Manchester City as we prepare for round two at the Etihad Stadium tonight (Wednesday 17 April).

Hugo Lloris’ early penalty save and a second-half strike from Heung-Min Son mean we arrive in Manchester with a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg as we look to reach the semi-finals of Europe’s elite club competition for the first time ever.

For Mauricio, even though we denied City an away goal last week, it’s important to forget the initial meeting and start as we mean to go on in the second leg of this intriguing all-English tie.

“It’s always exciting to play in the Champions League quarter-finals and we need to be ready to compete in our best way. It’s one game and anything can happen,” he said.

“We need to think that it’s 0-0, that we need to do the job that we need if we want to be in the semi-finals. We are playing one of the best teams in Europe but, for me, the approach must be like it’s still 0-0 – there’s still a lot of work to do, (the tie is) so open.

“For me, Manchester City are still favourites but the first leg went for us and why can’t we make it possible to be in the semi-final? Only we need to believe, to fight and to play football over 90 minutes that are going to be very tough.

“I think we must play like we played against City in the first leg. That is going to be tough at the Etihad but the belief is most important, to think that we can repeat the same result and performance and see what happens. It’s always so important to believe that it’s possible.”

Mauricio continued: “Belief is a key factor, the way that you approach the game. The faith must be decisive and, of course, after that, the quality, because we are going to play one of the best teams in Europe.

“We are going there to try to enjoy and give our best. Our motivation and excitement is so high. Football is a game to enjoy – of course we feel the responsibility but football is about enjoyment and we are going to try to enjoy it. The belief is there in the collective and, for sure, we are going to be there to try to compete in our best way.”