Spurs v City - Mauricio's preview
Mauricio Pochettino wants his players to “play with freedom” against Manchester City in the Champions League.
We welcome the reigning Premier League title-holders to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tonight (8pm) for the first leg of an intriguing all-English quarter-final tie on European football’s biggest stage.
It’s the first time we’ve reached the last eight of the Champions League since 2010/11, with the added caveat of it being the first ever European night at our world-class new home.
“It’s going to be an amazing experience, fantastic with all our fans to play in the Champions League,” said Mauricio. “We are so excited. It’s going to be, of course, a tough game because Manchester City is one of the best teams in the world but in the same way it’s a massive challenge.
Mauricio Pochettino on our first Champions League game in our new home as Manchester City visit Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“The key is to be brave and try to win the game. That is most important. Don’t think too much. Of course, everyone can have different opinions, approaches, but for us it’s to be brave.
“We are going to play at home and we need to be brave in the way that we are going to play from the first moment.
“I told them (the players)… play with freedom, run, tackle, play, shoot, save. This is a bonus for us and we need to play freely and try to be ourselves. That is the most important thing.”