Spurs news: Mauricio Pochettino ready to trust youth against Man City
Tottenham are preparing to face Manchester City for a second consecutive game in a week.
Spurs progressed to the semi-finals of the competition on Tuesday in dramatic fashion against Manchester City. Despite a 4-3 loss at the Etihad Stadium, we advanced 4-4 on away goals, with Raheem Sterling’s last-gasp goal disallowed after a VAR review.
Having knocked out City from the Champions League, we have a glorious opportunity to now dent Pep Guardiola’s title hopes on Saturday. Also, with a win at the Etihad in the Premier League, we ourselves will solidify the top four hopes.
And in the pre-match presser against City, Pochettino explained he wants to finish the season in the top four.
“The Premier League is different and we are fighting for different things,” Pochettino told in his pre-match press conference. (h/t The Daily Mail)
“Manchester City are trying to win the Premier League and, for us, it’s so important to be in the top four for next season.”
Spurs have few injury problems ahead of the game, with Moussa Sissoko set to miss after hobbling off against City in the Champions League, while Harry Kane has commenced his rehab on his ankle injury. Meanwhile, Erik Lamela remains out with a hamstring problem.
Pochettino has said he could field some fresh faces on Saturday after such an exhausting Wednesday night in the Champions League.
“City have an unbelievable squad, they can change and rotate the starting 11 and keep the same level on the pitch,” he added.
“With all the circumstances and some injuries, maybe we need to think about playing with younger players, not without experience, but with plenty of energy and keeping the same ideas – to be brave and try to compete.
“It’s going to be tough but we need to think about recovery and try to design the best strategy to try to be competitive.”
Read more Tottenham news, click here – Latest Spurs news
Pochettino deserves immense credit for the fact that Tottenham have been able to make it so far in the Champions League. Having not spent a single on improving our team this season, he has managed to keep the squad motivated throughout the campaign. And that has been key to the team staying in the hunt for the trophy this season.
