Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino prepares for 'biggest match' as Spurs brace for Champions League quarter-final tie against Manchester City
Mauricio Pochettino is preparing for the biggest match of his career as Tottenham host Manchester City in Europe.
Tuesday night will see the two Premier League sides pitted against each other in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Pep Guardiola’s near-indomitable charges are strong favourites to progress to the semi-final as Spurs host their first European match at their new stadium.
But Pochettino has backed Tottenham to cause an upset ahead of the mammoth showdown.
“Yes, as a coach (It is the biggest moment),” the former Espanyol player and coach said. “It is going to be one of the most important games. For us, it’s a bonus to have the opportunity to play in the quarter-finals with all the circumstances.
“We respect Manchester City a lot, we know very well it’s going to be tough. It’s so easy to play and prepare and the problem is after delivering.
“City have unbelievable players. It’s going to be tough. We’re playing in the quarter-finals and the big players, the big teams love to play this type of game.
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“We need to be sure to match their motivation and desire. The thing we cannot match is talent inside the pitch.”
Tottenham have failed to beat Manchester City in their last four matches – a run stretching back to October 2016.
City have seemingly gone from strength-to-strength since, with Guardiola’s men eyeing up a quadruple challenge.
Having already claimed the Carabao Cup, a sole Gabriel Jesus goal on Saturday confirmed their place in the FA Cup final.
They are also in a good position to add the Premier League to their trophy cabinet, and Pochettino knows all-too-well the attacking danger which they will pose.
He added: “It is 11 v 11 players and we hope my team is going to be better than them.
“I know, and he (Guardiola) knows, we’re brave, we like to go forward, be aggressive, be protagonists.
“The quality of the players on the pitch is going to put the victory on Guardiola’s side but we’re going to try to be protagonists and beat them.”
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