Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham ‘still in a dream’ after Manchester City win
Written by News on 18/04/2019
Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham are “still in a dream” and that their Champions League quarter-final victory over Manchester City is yet to sink in.
Spurs lost 4-3 in a remarkable game at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, but went through on away goals thanks to Fernando Llorente’s controversial strike.
Tottenham travel back to the Etihad to play City in the Premier League on Saturday – live on Sky Sports Premier League – and Pochettino says they have not been able to reflect on their victory because they are so focused on the weekend’s match.
Asked whether reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time had sunk in, he said: “I think it means a lot. We still haven’t realised because we are still in a dream. We’re still in a bubble.
“We felt the happiness of the fans and the messages of our family and friends. But because we are so focused and busy preparing for Saturday, you do not allow yourself to live your reality.
“But in some ways that’s good, because our job is to be focused and try to be ready for Saturday. Of course we are so happy and it means a lot for everyone.
“We feel so proud but there is a lot of work to do until the end of the season.”
Spurs now face a semi-final against Ajax, with the first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 30, and Pochettino says the Dutch side’s victories over Real Madrid and Juventus in the competition make them favourites.
He said: “We need to be humble. No one expected us to beat City. It can give massive belief but if you are not clever enough to manage it, that victory can make you weaker.
“It’s so important to respect Ajax. Beating Real Madrid and Juventus means they are more favourites than us – that is a reality.
“It is not important the opponents, the most important is how we are going to approach the semi-final. I hope we arrive with nearly all the squad fit, to give us different options to decide a plan. But we are so positive, like always.”
The Champions League final takes place on June 1 in Madrid, and Pochettino did not rule out the possibility of Harry Kane recovering from his ankle injury to play, should they get past Ajax.
He said: “Still we can’t say. We are going to assess him day by day. We are not optimistic but you know Harry Kane – with Harry Kane, all is possible.”
(c) Sky News 2019: Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham ‘still in a dream’ after Manchester City win
