LONDON (AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE) - Mauricio Pochettino has told Tottenham to shrug off the absence of Harry Kane and Son Heung-min as they prepare to face Ajax in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday (April 30).
Kane headlines a lengthy injury list which also includes Erik Lamela and Harry Winks, while Son is suspended.
But, having upset the odds to end Manchester City's quest for a quadruple of trophies in the quarter-finals, manager Pochettino insisted Spurs' strength as a collective can overcome Ajax's talented group of rising stars.
"To be in a Champions League semi-final is something I dreamed about. You need to settle your dreams, to infinity and beyond," Pochettino said at his pre-match press conference on Monday ahead of Tottenham's first European Cup semi-final since 1962.
"The chance to play a semi-final for Tottenham has not happened often. We are in a circumstance that is not going to change and we must be ready.
"It is impossible to be tired, impossible to not be excited to play. I am sure there is no doubt we will have the energy for 90 minutes."
However, while Pochettino's stretched squad were slipping to a sixth defeat in their last 10 Premier League games to West Ham on Saturday, Ajax have had a full week to rest as the entire Dutch league calendar for the weekend was postponed to allow them extra time to prepare.
Â
Â
Without Kane, who is not expected to return this season unless Spurs make it to the Champions League final on June 1, Tottenham's goals have dried up since a thrilling 4-3 defeat in the second leg of their quarter-final at City was enough to progress on away goals.
Christian Eriksen's late strike to secure a 1-0 victory over Brighton last Tuesday was Spurs' only goal in their past three games.
Son's absence means Pochettino is robbed of another goal threat, with Lucas Moura and Fernando Llorente his only striking options.
However, the Argentinian said Spurs' teamwork can compensate for that lack of firepower.
"I think the point is that we arrive where we are now because we were a team and we are going to be a team," he said.
"I don't care who is going to score. Always it's an issue to not have all the players fit but, in front of any name was the team, the collective."
Pochettino also played down any suggestion that Kane could return in time for the second leg if the tie is still alive heading to the Johan Cruyff Arena next week.
"He's doing well. He's working and starting to run a bit inside. His rehab is so good, but we cannot create any idea that we maybe cannot achieve.
"The most important thing is that he is in a good place and we'll see what happens."
Claude Puel: Sacked Leicester boss says it was his 'honour' to manage Premier League side "It was my honour to work for the late and much loved Khun Vichai, who gave me the fantastic
Sacked Puel says managing Leicester a 'honour' | Sport24
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists the Premier League title race is something to get excited about rather than stressed about despite seeing his side overhauled by Manchester City in the past
Klopp excited by Premier League title fight - worldfootball.net
LIVERPOOL (REUTERS) - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has urged his players to give "every fibre of their bodies" in the battle for the Premier League title.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Football: Liverpool's players must fight for the Premier
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri deserves time and trust from the club to iron out flaws in his possession-based playing style and make the club consistent again, former striker Jimmy Floyd
Lampard replacing Sarri 'understandable' if Chelsea are hit
Benzema saves Real Madrid blushes with late Huesca winner Date created : 31/03/2019 - 23:00 Karim Benzema fired Real Madrid to a late 3-2 win over La Liga's bottom club Huesca on Sunday AFP
Benzema saves Real Madrid blushes with late Huesca winner
National Football: Baihakki salutes Kadir, Raddy, Football
Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group D - England v Scotland - Allianz Riviera, Nice, France - June 9, 2019 England's Nikita Parris celebrates scoring their first goal from the penalty spot
Football: Parris and White strike to give England victory
Messi claims record 5th Golden Shoe Ad "The truth is I had no idea this would happen when I started. I dreamt of playing professional football and enjoying success, I love the game, but I
Football: Messi claims record 5th Golden Shoe, Football News
Football: 10-man Arsenal slump in Rennes, Sevilla held, in Europa League RENNES, France (REUTERS) - Arsenal took an early lead but a red card for Sokratis Papastathopoulos changed the game as the Gunners slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Rennes on a night of tightly-contested Europa League last-16 first-leg ties on Thursday (March 7).
Soccer-10-man Arsenal slump in Rennes, Sevilla held - Reuters
Football: Ikhsan Fandi signs two-year deal with Norwegian
Aguero inches Man City closer to title. Sergio Aguero's 20th Premier League goal of the season left Manchester City just two wins from the title after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burnley at
Aguero inches Man City closer to title | Bangkok Post: news
Nov 11, 2013 · 10 Ways To Become Better At Your Job Today. Susan Adams With the onslaught of email, texting, tweeting and everything else, it can be challenging to stay on top of your workload.
Here are 15 top jobs for a healthy work-life balance in the
0 comments:
Post a Comment