Sissoko at Audi Cup: 'It's a pleasure to help the young players'

Wind the clock back a little over 10 years and a teenage Moussa Sissoko was a young player benefitting from experiencing tough pre-season matches alongside senior professionals at Toulouse.

Now aged 29 and an established first teamer in his own right here at Spurs, he’s enjoying the chance to help the next generation of youngsters bidding to cut their teeth at the top level.

Tuesday evening’s excellent victory over Real Madrid in Munich was a prime example. Introduced as a half-time substitute, the French international was an older head in a young second-half XI going up against the Spanish giants.

By the time the final whistle blew on our 1-0 Audi Cup semi-final win, five Academy graduates were on the pitch with him – something the former Newcastle man was pleased to see.

“Of course, 10 years ago I was like them,” he smiled as he stepped off the field at the Allianz Arena. “When I started with my debut it was something unbelievable so for them to play this kind of game is amazing and it's a good experience for them. They did all the preparation with us and they are doing well, they have quality to bring into the team. They play with confidence, they're not scared and they showed it against Juve and Manchester United (in Asia last week) and even now, so it's a great opportunity for them and they have to take their chance.

“For me, it's a pleasure to try to help them because I know when you start your career it's never easy. But when you have some experienced players who talk to you, it becomes easier.”

Tuesday’s win represented another pre-season outing full of positives, coming off the back of good performances in our International Champions Cup matches in Singapore and Shanghai.

Now it’s a quick turnaround as we prepare to take on Bayern Munich – 6-1 conquerors of Fenerbahce on Tuesday – in the Audi Cup Final tonight (Wednesday, kick-off 8.30pm local time, 7.30pm UK).

“Against Madrid it was a great game from us,” said Moussa. “From the beginning we tried to play. We started very well, we scored one goal so we were 1-0 up at half-time and the manager decided to change a few players, then the players who came on added something on the pitch.

“First of all now is to recover, then (tonight) come back again with a lot of energy and positive things to try to win the game. Every game we play – friendly, Audi Cup or Champions League – we are prepared to win. We need to have that mentality if we want to have success so (tonight) we have to make sure we are ready for that game and go back home with the cup. We keep going in pre-season, we are doing well and we are in a good way for the start of the season.”