‘We need to move on’ – Pochettino defiant despite Tottenham fitness issues ahead of CL clash
By Aramide Oladipo
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has defiantly urged his side to prove their worth in the midweek Champions League clash despite a number of key first-team members out of action.
Spurs face an away trip to Apoel Nicosia on Tuesday evening in the second match of the group stages in the elite club competition.
However, the North London club confirmed on Monday afternoon on their official club website that Danny Rose, Erik Lamela, Victor Wanyama, Mousa Dembele and Christian Eriksen are out all due to injuries.
Attacking midfielder Dele Alli will also be unavailable as he is serving a suspension for a red card he picked up in last season’s Europa League tie.
Although Spurs will be missing a number of key men for the midweek match, manager Pochettino wants his team to show resilience and strength in depth.
“Christian is a very important player for us,” he said as quoted in the Daily Mail.
“It’s true we will miss him but we need to move on. We need to find a way to play and perform and try to win.
“I am not a manager who cries because a player cannot play.
“It is key to win and there are no excuses. We must win. We have a strong squad and this is a good opportunity to show it.
“We started well against Borussia Dortmund and this is so important. It’s so important for our future in the Champions League to get the three points here.”
Spurs enjoyed a wonderful start to their Champions league campaign against Dortmund with a 3-1 victory at Wembley Stadium thanks to a brace from Harry Kane and a goal from Son Heung-Min.
Eriksen will be a key absence to the starting eleven as he provided Kane with both assists for his goals in the previous outing.
Tottenham will be looking to extend their unbeaten run away from home this season with a positive result in midweek.
In other Tottenham news, agent promises Tottenham first teamer summer move to Spain.
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