BARCELONA • Mauricio Pochettino hailed his players for achieving "mission impossible" after Tottenham completed an improbable turnaround to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday.
The 1-1 draw at Barcelona put the exclamation point on Spurs' European campaign to consign their nightmare start in Group B to distant memory.
Pochettino's men had garnered only a point from their opening three games, but arrived at the Nou Camp knowing that Inter Milan had to better their result to go through.
The Spanish champions had already qualified as group winners and their much-changed line-up gave the away fans hope with Barca coach Ernesto Valverde handing Juan Miranda and Carles Alena their Champions League debuts.
Munir El Haddadi played up front while Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Sergio Busquets all dropped to the bench as Valverde opted to rest his regulars ahead of the Spanish champions' LaLiga trip to Levante on Sunday.
But Spurs' plight looked bleak when Ousmane Dembele's sensational individual strike put them on the back foot in the group decider.
Yet Lucas Moura's late leveller ensured the Premier League club would reach the knockout phase for only the third time in their history. They were indebted, however, to PSV Eindhoven, who held Inter to a surprise 1-1 draw at the San Siro.
After sneaking above the Italian Serie A side due to a better head-to-head record, Pochettino declared it was a "massive motivation" with Spurs' new stadium expected to be ready when the last-16 ties take place in February.
NEVER SAY NEVER
I'm so happy, so proud, I remember that after PSV, no one believed in us, it was mission impossible but we are here, we're in the next round.
MAURICIO POCHETTINO, Tottenham manager, on his team's achievement especially after collecting only a point at the halfway mark of three games.
"I'm so happy, so proud, I remember that after PSV, no one believed in us, it was mission impossible but we are here, we're in the next round," he told reporters.
"It's a massive achievement for the club, we're happy for the fans here and around the world, it's a massive boost for the club, to be able to play in the knockout rounds next year in the new stadium."
The Argentinian admitted that he and his players were caught in two minds over whether to try to hold on for the draw or seek a winner after news filtered through about Mauro Icardi's second-half equaliser for Inter.
Hirving Lozano had opened the scoring for Dutch champions PSV.
"It was difficult to manage the last 10 minutes. The players knew the result of Inter, but it is difficult to translate what to do to the field," he said.
"You have to score to win but, if you concede and lose the game, maybe you talk in a different way afterwards."
The manager also felt progression from a group that had opponents of genuine European pedigree ranked among his greatest achievements since taking over Spurs in 2014.
"It was so difficult to manage everything inside, but we made a fantastic effort. To see and celebrate with everyone after four years and a half was great, it was the first time I felt something really special," he added.
"The connection is amazing, but we need to be clever about how we manage that energy tonight."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Arsenal manager Unai Emery has suggested that some players will have to leave the club following their 4-1 loss to Chelsea in the Europa League final in Baku. Denis Suarez is returning to his
Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Aubameyang to China, Fraser and
Football: Playing the OLE United way. Manchester United's Jesse Lingard celebrating with Diogo Dalot after scoring in the 3-1 loss to Liverpool on Sunday. New Red Devils caretaker manager Ole
Football: Playing the OLE United way - theworldnews.net
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) After getting a rare victory, the Detroit Lions are eager to celebrate some more success. And, they'll have a chance to do it at home. Detroit (2-7) will face the Oakland
Lions hungry to keep winning after earning rare victory | Fox
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has been charged with misconduct following his sending-off against Burnley, the Football Association has announced on its official website. The Italian was sent off
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri charged with misconduct
Stephen Collins, pastor-dad in '7th Heaven,' admits to sexually abusing underage girl, exposing himself to 2 others (audio) By Meg Wagner, Thomas Tracy and Nancy Dillon
List of 7th Heaven characters - Wikipedia
London: Mauricio Pochettino says Harry Kane is making a "fantastic" recovery and could be back in action ahead of schedule following the ankle injury he suffered last month against Manchester United. Kane was initially ruled out until March, but Spurs boss Pochettino said the England captain could feature in his side's Premier League match at
Kane making 'fantastic' recovery, says Spurs boss Pochettino
Shiotani fires Japan past Uzbeks, Qatar's Ali downs Saudis AFP January 17, 2019 AFP No Comments Al-Ain (United Arab Emirates) (AFP) - Tsukasa Shiotani's sizzling winner kept Japan on top of their Asian Cup group on Thursday, while Oman scrambled into the knockouts in a pulsating finish to the tournament's first stage.
Shiotani fires Japan past Uzbeks, Qatar's Ali downs Saudis
Manchester City's Spanish manager, Pep Guardiola, holds up the Premier League trophy as he's surrounded by his team after their 4-1 victory in the English Premier League football match between
Mo' Salah was the last man standing from final shortlist of three players - Sadio Mane, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mohamed Salah. The Egypt and Liverpool forward was presented the prize last night in Dakar Senegal by former World and African footballer of the year George Weah. Salah has now won the award for the second time in a row.
BREAKING: Mohamed Salah retains CAF player of the Year award
Manchester's homeless in good Kompany LONDON • Vincent Kompany believes that he has a duty to tackle the issue of homelessness in Manchester, which he has called home for the past 10 years. The 32-year-old Manchester City captain earlier this year set up a combined initiative called Tackle4Mcr with Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham in a
Vincent Kompany To Donate All Profits From His Testimonial To
Football: Neymar hints at joining Real Madrid. Neymar will miss Wednesday's Champions League last-16 return leg against Manchester United with the metatarsal problem he suffered six weeks ago.
Neymar hints at joining Real Madrid | Deccan Herald
Jose Mourinho says he has rejected three job offers since his sacking by Manchester United before aiming a dig at his former club over transfers. Mourinho was dismissed for the third time in
Jose Mourinho reveals deadline for return to football after
Huddersfield manager Jan Siewert has backed Philip Billing after the club's Danish midfielder was subjected to "brainless" racist abuse on social media. West Yorkshire Police arrested a 16
Huddersfield ace Philip Billing exposes sick racist abuse
'He's great to watch, but he's not God' - Pope sets fans straight on Messi FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis receives a Barcelona soccer jersey of player Lionel Messi during the weekly audience in Saint
He's great to watch, but he's not God: Pope sets fans
watch live soccer online free streaming now
watch coppa america live streaming uk
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online india
watch english premier league live streaming free
watch champions league live streaming juventus
soccer tv live football streaming reddit
watch champions league live streaming match
watch champions league online free live streaming hd
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online youtube
watch coppa america live streaming mobile
watch coppa america live streaming indonesia
watch soccer live stream apk
watch coppa america live streaming nz
watch champions league live streaming espn
watch champions league final live streaming online
watch champions league live streaming malaysia
watch live streaming of premier league football
watch premier league live streaming xbox
watch usa soccer live stream
watch coppa america live streaming gratis
watch champions league live streaming now free
watch coppa america live streaming eng
watch live streaming soccer online espn3
watch coppa america live streaming spain
watch soccer live streaming zee tv
watch barclays premier league live streaming online free
super soccer tv live streaming garuda select
watch coppa america live streaming online
watch soccer live streaming reddit
watch champions league draw live streaming
watch live premier league football streaming online for free iraqgoals
watch soccer live stream hunter
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch champions league live streaming crictime
watch premier league live streaming youtube
apps to watch live streaming soccer
watch champions league final online free live streaming
soccer tv live football streaming gratuit
watch soccer online free streaming live iphone
watch coppa america live streaming total sportek
watch iceland soccer live stream
watch soccer live streaming xbox one
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
where to watch free live soccer streaming online
watch coppa america live streaming free online
watch coppa america live streaming game
watch coppa america live streaming hd
watch soccer online free streaming live without registration
watch champions league live streaming jamaica
watch soccer online free streaming live uk
watch indian premier league live streaming
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming online free
watch live soccer stream android
watch soccer online free streaming live liverpool
watch soccer live streaming kenya
watch champions league live streaming live free
watch soccer live stream app
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming free online
watch soccer live streaming xfinity
watch sky sports premier league live stream
watch live streaming soccer manchester united
watch soccer online free live streaming livetv ru
how to watch soccer live streaming free
watch afghanistan premier league live stream
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch premier league stream reddit
watch premier league live streaming quality
watch soccer live streaming kenya vs ethiopia
watch champions league live streaming vk
watch coppa america live streaming twitch
watch coppa america live streaming xbox one
watch soccer aid live stream
free live football streams watch live streaming tv premier league
watch epl live streaming free no sign up
tv soccer live stream sky
watch everton vs tottenham live soccer streaming
watch coppa america live streaming free
watch tamil nadu premier league live streaming
watch soccer am online live streaming
watch champions league live streaming manchester united
watch the premier league live stream
watch premier league live streaming xfinity
watch arsenal southampton premier league live stream
watch sky sports premier league live streaming
www.watch premier league live stream.com
watch live soccer game barcelona vs real madrid
watch premier league live stream hd
watch uefa champions league quarter final draw live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming totalsportek
watch coppa america live streaming xfinity
watch soccer live - live football streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live south africa
watch coppa america live streaming bein sport
watch coppa america live streaming reddit
watch sky sports premier league online free streaming live
watch coppa america live streaming india vs england
watch champions league live streaming mobile
watch soccer online free live streaming hd
watch champions league draw live stream total sportek
watch soccer games online free streaming live
watch hd soccer live streaming free
watch coppa america live streaming tv
watch coppa america live streaming rcti
watch english premier league live streaming hd
watch soccer online free streaming live hd
watch coppa america live streaming in india
watch champions league live streaming putlockers
watch coppa america live streaming jamaica
watch coppa america live streaming direct
soccer tv live net stream
watch champions league live streaming kenya
#liverpool #ballondor #manchestercity #lovefootball #arsenalfantv #sumbertv #soccer #tokyo #messi #commento #sixtimes #footballfans #salah #afcnews #Barca #gunners #oasisofficial #oasis #footballmemes #champion #romania #cr7 #winner #battuteepiche #fut #soccermemes #acmilan #henderson #oudmehta #rockstar #football #arsenalnews #gym #sunderlandafc #footballstreaming #realmadrid #myfootballuniverse #Celtic #football #frasitrap #soccer #watchlive #chocolatecoffee #kopisusu #manchesterunited #lfc #liverpool #leicestercity #zidane #footballschedule #conference #mensnightout #meunier #realmadridcf #beatifulgame #liverpoolfans #footballmeme #hoffenhiem #freekickerz #noelgallagher #nikesoccer #elcasico #chocolate #vip #manunited #oasisandbeatles #Liamgallagher #bayern #mancity #manchestercity #frasirap #pagani #lionelmessi #paulmcartney #klopp #leomessi #4Series #championsleague #england #fcbarcelona #linkstreaming #MSport #bayervshoffenheim
No comments:
Post a Comment