Mauricio Pochettino upbeat about Tottenham's chances of making Champions League final
The Lilywhites hed to Ajax for the second leg of their semi-final with the deficitof an away goal.
Spurs will be taking the field against Ajax and will look to turn the 1-0 deficit in Amsterdam at the Champions League semifinal. The Argentine tactician is convinced that his side can make it through to their maiden Champions League final despite losing their home game against the Dutch side in the first leg.
The odds are against them as the football fraternity believes that the English side have handed their opportunity to Ajax as Donny van de Beek scored the only goal in the first leg.
Going into the crucial fixture, Pochettino's men also have not been in great form lately. The Lillywhites lost 1-0 against Bournemouth in the Premier League which was a hit to their top four ambitions this season.
But fortunately eternal rivals, Arsenal also dropped points allowing PSurs to keep the four spot in the league table going into the final matchweek.
With everything said and done, Tottenham who are in the running to reach their first European Cup final since 1984, must be very focused as they are against a vibrant Ajax side. Erik ten Haag's men have knocked out teams like Real Madrid and Juventus in their road to the Champions League semifinals, so Pochettino cannot take them lightly especially after the first leg loss.
The Argentine missed important players like Heung-min Son and Harry Kane as the former was suspended and the latter injured. He will have Son bakc for the second leg which definitely increases their chances considering the great form of the Korean forward.
Despite all odds Pochettino has been upbeat about their chances going into the second leg. The Argentine has been highly impressed with his players this season and considers that they have done enough to make him proud.
Also Read
ICYMI: Gennaro Gattuso and Tiemoue Bakayoko in row over substitution in latest AC Milan match
I always told them that I would score a goal like that- Vincent Kompany
Two of the world's best strikers are not available- Jurgen Klopp ahead of hosting FC Barcelona
The Lillywhites played at the Wembley Stadium for most of the season as they moved to new stadium earlier this year. The stadium construction did eat up most of Pochettino's transfer budget and Spurs ended up without any signings in two transfer windows.
While Pochettino still chases for a major trophy in his managerial career, his work this season with Spurs must be praised. He has literally steered a drowning ship to the safest shore with this side without a single investment this season.
However, the Argentine isn't content being challengers in the Premier League as he has asked Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to allow him the funds required next season to turn the North London side from challengers to champions in England.
[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]"No-one believed we'd be in this position in the last week of the competition," Pochettino said. "We are in a position where it depends on us to be in the (Champions League) final or not and then it depends on us to finish in the top four.
"It's a massive week and that's why we need to move on, try to recover as soon as possible and be ready again but whatever happens I am going to feel proud."
- Southampton vs Liverpool Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds
- I-League 2024-25: Inter Kashi start their campaign with a hard-fought win
- Top 10 highest goalscorers in football history
- Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: All-time goals & stats comparison
- Cristiano Ronaldo: List of all goals for Al Nassr
- Ashutosh Mehta on ISL comeback, national team call-up, relationship with Khalid Jamil & more
- Petr Kratky highlights this Mumbai City FC player's performance against Kerala Blasters
- Mohun Bagan not be fined by AFC after recognising their case as 'Event of Force Majeure'
- How much bonus did Vinicius Jr miss out on after losing Ballon d'Or 2024 award?
- Mats Hummels' girlfriend: Meet Nicola Cavanis, her job, Instagram & more
- Top 10 highest goalscorers in football history
- Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: All-time goals & stats comparison
- Cristiano Ronaldo: List of all goals for Al Nassr
- I-League 2024-25: Full fixtures, schedule, results, standings & more
- Jose Molina outlines how Dimitri Petratos can rediscover top form for Mohun Bagan