Spurs 2-4 Barcelona - Mauricio's verdict
Mauricio Pochettino was proud of the team’s efforts against Barcelona – but was left to rue the early goal that left us chasing the game.
“You start from the changing room 1-0 down and it’s so difficult,” reflected the manager on Philippe Coutinho’s strike with less than two minutes on the clock of the Champions League Group B encounter at Wembley.
Ivan Rakitic hit a screamer as the La Liga champions led 2-0 at half-time. Harry Kane pulled a goal back but Lionel Messi, who hit the post twice just before Kane’s strike, restored Barca’s advantage four minutes later.
Instead of crumbling, we grew stronger and stronger and when Erik Lamela’s shot was deflected over Marc-Andre ter Stegen for 3-2, the tide was turning.
You sensed we needed one more chance – and it fell the way of Lucas Moura with five minutes to go. The Brazilian darted between defenders to leave a clear sight of goal only for Clement Lenglet to stick out a leg and divert his shot away.
The knockout blow arrived in the final minute as we lost possession, Jordi Alba found Messi and he made no mistake for 4-2.
Mauricio said: “To start the game and after a minute-and-a-half to concede a goal was so difficult for the team. If you play football you know that emotion...you plan to play in a certain way and that destroys everything.
“Then unbelievable, the second time they arrive on 30 minutes, a great goal scored from Rakitic. That was so tough.
Mauricio Pochettino spoke of his pride after a 'brave' performance against Barcelona.
“In the second half the team believed and we competed in a very good way. I’m so proud about that, playing against a team like this with the handicap from the beginning. The team gave everything and if Lucas scored, it’s 3-3 and maybe we are talking in a different way.”
Mauricio was asked if he felt we would find an equaliser when we put the Catalan giants under pressure at 3-2. “The game was so open,” he said. “We tried to go forward and tried to score. We were so brave. We were always in the game...in the last minute when we conceded the fourth goal the game was over, but I feel proud.”