Mauricio Pochettino was not in a happy mood after the 2-1 loss to Inter Milan. The Argentine saw Tottenham give away a 1-0 lead and concede in stoppage time to lose their third game in a row.
Pochettino was speaking to the press after the game and was asked about leaving Toby Alderweireld and Kieran Trippier in London.
The manager claimed that journalists had disrespected the players and was quoted by BBC saying:
“Wow, what a question, such an easy question? [It’s] easy to talk about the players that aren’t here. I think we need to talk about football. Because, you know I think you force me to say something that is not good.
“You disrespect the players that showed better qualities than the opponent.”
The Argentine further added that the pair had played in the games against Liverpool and Watford. Pochettino didn’t want the spotlight to fall on the stars who were excluded and insisted that the press could blame him for the team selection.
“You can blame me and say, ‘Gaffer, you were so, so rubbish in your selection of the starting XI’. But please don’t disrespect the players who were playing, because it’s my decision. Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld – we have 25 players.”
The former Southampton manager wanted “respect” for the decision he had taken regarding the XI on the pitch.
The performance wasn’t great from Tottenham but we controlled the game and should have seen it through.
Read more: Pochettino explains the real reason behind leaving out key players for the Inter Milan clash
The loss was shockingly similar to the Watford game, where we threw a lead away. Regardless, the manager must turn things around quickly as we face a tough clash against Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend.