AMSTERDAM (AFP) - Mauricio Pochettino describes being in the last four of the Champions League as "a bonus", but Tottenham Hotspur are still hopeful of going all the way to the final as Son Heung-min returns for Wednesday's second leg against Ajax.
Spurs come to Amsterdam needing a special performance if they are to reach the final of this competition for the first time in their history after a Donny van de Beek away goal condemned them to a 1-0 defeat in London last week.
However, Pochettino's team have already made history for the club by getting this far - they last reached the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1962 before being beaten by Eusebio's Benfica.
Now they are dreaming of a first European final since Keith Burkinshaw's team beat Anderlecht on penalties to lift the UEFA Cup in 1984, before any of those set to feature on Wednesday were born.
"We are living a dream. Five years ago when we arrived it was to reduce the gap to the top four, and then to have the possibility to play in the Champions League," Pochettino said at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Tuesday (May 7).
"I think nobody would believe we would be playing in the Champions League three seasons in a row and competing at this stage."
STUMBLING
However, his side are stumbling badly towards the finish line with a depleted squad, set to finish in the top four in the Premier League mainly thanks to the failings of the teams below them.
Harry Kane is out, and Tottenham have been beaten five times in their last six games in all, nine times in their last 10 matches away from home.
The exception in that run came on their last trip to the continent, however, against Borussia Dortmund in the last 16, and now they arrive in Amsterdam with Son available after sitting out the first leg due to suspension.
Jan Vertonghen, who began his professional career in Amsterdam before joining Tottenham in 2012, is in line to return too after coming off with a head knock in the first leg.
"You wouldn't believe at the start of the season that Tottenham would be in the last week of the season with the possibility of being in the final of the Champions League and to be in the top four," Pochettino insisted. "Both are real, but this is not the moment to talk."
Spurs' status as one of the Premier League's top six clubs gives them a considerable financial advantage over Ajax, but they cannot match their opponents - four times European champions - when it comes to history.
The club of Cruyff and so many other great names are in sight of a first Champions League final since 1996 and remain in with a chance of a treble, something they last did in 1972 when the man after whom their stadium is now named was starring on the pitch.
TREBLE DREAM
Erik ten Hag's team secured the first leg at the weekend when they beat Willem II 4-0 in the Dutch Cup final, and they are top of the league in the Netherlands with two matches left.
They are aiming to carry on an incredible European run that began in the second qualifying round against Sturm Graz on July 25.
"You don't expect at the beginning of the season to be in this position. I am very proud and happy to be here during this special period," said Daley Blind, almost echoing Pochettino's own remarks.
Blind, who returned to the club from Manchester United just before the campaign began, admitted that celebrations after the Cup final were "a bit timid" due to the proximity to this match.
Ajax are now hoping they don't live to regret not scoring more than once in London.
"Our defensive organisation was excellent," pointed out Ten Hag. "In the final third we didn't play all that well but the players' mindset was to defend our 1-0 lead."
If they can finish the job on Wednesday, they will be the ones to advance to the final in Madrid on June 1.
Real Madrid, Atletico close in on Barcelona Description: The hosts came roaring back in the second half, twice forcing fine saves from Jan Oblak before Fernando Calero scored for the hosts from a 56th-minute corner.
Real Madrid, Atletico close in on Barcelona
One year on from defeat to Real Madrid in the final, Jürgen Klopp tasted victory as Liverpool overcame Spurs in a scrappy Champions League final on Saturday. The game burst into life early on
Stadium - liverpoolfc.com
Cesc Fabregas completes move from Chelsea to reunite with Thierry Henry at Monaco Description: Cesc Fabregas completes move to Monaco: The Spain international teams up with former Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry after signing a three-and-a-half-season deal with the Principality club.
Cesc Fabregas completes Monaco move from Chelsea
Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette free to face Rennes as UEFA
Real Madrid edge past Real Betis to climb into the La Liga top four with a first win in three matches. Real Madrid earn late win at Real Betis They are behind third-placed Sevilla on goal
Sevilla keep pressure on Atletico with vital win over Celta
Gareth Bale has been named as a substitute for Real Madrid's Champions League last-16 second leg against Ajax on Tuesday. The Welshman's future at the Santiago Bernabeu has been the subject of intense scrutiny in recent weeks, reaching a crescendo in Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Barcelona.
Kean subject to racist abuse, Juve teammate Bonucci says he incited crowd Emmeline Moore 03 Apr 2019 12:36 Despite scoring for Juventus, Moise Kean (centre) had a frustrating night in Cagliari as
Leonardo Bonucci Issues Tone-Deaf '50-50 Blame' Reaction to
Keep up to date with all the latest news from FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019 - Technical Study Group (TSG) national team. They will be supported by FIFA
FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019 - News - FIFA Legends Bebeto
"Veronica Mars" & "90210" Revivals: Everything We Know Kristen Bell reprises her role as the noir private eye in the series reboot for Hulu. Then, the original stars of "Beverly Hills, 90210
December 2018 - videoassistantreferees.co.uk
videoassistantreferees.co.uk/2018/12/
VAR drama mars Juve's historic win, Football News & Top Stories The Straits Times Cristiano Ronaldo doubles up for Juventus but VAR denies Sampdoria The Guardian Ronaldo scores twice as VAR helps Juventus to 2-1 win The San Luis Obispo Tribune Ronaldo comments on VAR after controversial Juve win vs. Samp Calciomercato.com english news […]
Could Bruno Mars' Big Night at the Grammys End Up - Billboard
April 21 (Reuters) - Crystal Palace put a dent in Arsenal's Champions League qualification hopes after strikers Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha made the most of defensive errors in a 3-2 win
Sport Palace punish sloppy Arsenal in 3-2 win at the Emirates
Manchester City celebrated their domestic treble with an open-top bus parade on Monday, drawing an estimated 100,000 fans to the streets of the city centre. Pep Guardiola's City side became the
Treble winners Manchester City enjoy parade | football
MADRID: Former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Spain star Jose Antonio Reyes has been killed in a car crash, his hometown club Sevilla said on Saturday.He was 35. Reyes, who shot to fame at Sevilla before a switch to Arsenal, followed by spells at Real and Atletico Madrid, was on the books with second-tier Spanish club Extremadura.
Football news - Jose Antonio Reyes killed in car crash at age
Despite being regarded as possibly one of the contenders in the 2019 Singapore Premier League, Hougang United were handily beaten by Tampines Rovers 5-1. Things were especially difficult for the
LIVE: AIA Singapore Premier League - Tampines Rovers vs
Jesse Lingard says Manchester United intend to continue their entertaining brand of football under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when they travel to Tottenham on Sunday. United have been reinvigorated since Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho last month, winning all five of the Norwegian's matches in league and cup, scoring 16 goals in the process.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to go all out attack against Paris Saint
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.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Manchester's homeless in good Kompany - theworldnews.net
0 comments:
Post a Comment