Irish Daily Mail

LOOK OUT JUVE

Poch’s men in ‘perfect condition’ for Euro clash

- SAMI MOKBEL at Wembley Stadium

THIS win over Huddersfie­ld was the definition of routine. Wednesday night at Wembley will be anything but.

Son Heung-min’s goals — taking his tally for the season to 15 — ensured Tottenham prepared for their crunch Champions League last-16 clash against Juventus in the best possible way.

Saturday’s win extended Tottenham’s unbeaten run to 17 games, and consolidat­ed their position in the Premier League’s top four, making it look increasing­ly likely that they will remain among Europe’s elite next season.

But it is this season’s Champions League campaign that is capturing Spurs fans’ imaginatio­n right now. Wembley seemed subdued on Saturday afternoon, but is unlikely to be so on Wednesday night.

Big nights, big games: this has been Daniel Levy’s vision all along. And in Mauricio Pochettino, the Tottenham chairman has found a manager capable of delivering his vision.

When the new White Hart Lane opens its doors next season, such occasions will taste all the sweeter for Levy. The prospect of going toe-to-toe with Europe’s elite in their own brand spanking new stadium will provide a huge sense of achievemen­t for Levy and Tottenham. But all that’s for the future, and Pochettino is determined not to look too far ahead.

Speaking after Saturday’s win over struggling Huddersfie­ld, Pochettino tried his best to downplay Wednesday night. But the Tottenham manager wasn’t fooling anyone.

When asked whether the clash against Max Allegri’s side was the biggest of his managerial career, Pochettino referred to the club’s 2015 League Cup final when he replied: ‘Maybe yes, maybe no. I think it’s important, yes, like when we played the final against Chelsea.

‘Or when you play a semi-final of the FA Cup. Or when you win a big game in the Premier League.’

Yet if Spurs progress to the Champions League quarter-finals at the expense of one of European football’s most distinguis­hed clubs, it would surely be a greater achievemen­t. And Tottenham’s 2-2 draw in the first leg in Turin means they are perfectly poised.

‘I think for me we are going to enjoy the game. We deserve to be there. We need to enjoy, and not put drama on this game. It’s only to try to enjoy, be free and try to perform in the best way,’ Pochettino said.

‘I think we need to be relaxed now and try to prepare in the best way, like all the games. It doesn’t change because it’s Champions League or an important game. For me, all the games are important. The approach must be the same.

‘The team are not going to panic. Look, it’s a game that we are going to play and we are going to try to perform in the best way, to try to be close to winning. Of course, we are going to play one of the best teams, or clubs, in Europe. Of course it will be very tough. But I think we are going to arrive in a perfect condition to challenge them.’

Goalscorer Son insists beating Juventus this week should not be viewed as a shock. ‘You guys can see how well Tottenham play, I think we deserve to play Champions League to the quarter-final or even more,’ he said. ‘We are good enough. If we win, everyone will be proud of Tottenham.

‘We are not scared. We need to play our game, be confident and play forward like we play at Wembley.’

Son missed the first leg at the Allianz Stadium, when Pochettino prefered Erik Lamela. And Son says he will accept a berth on the bench on Wednesday, for arguably the biggest night in Tottenham’s season so far.

‘The gaffer has to choose 11 players. Sometimes its difficult to choose because he feels sorry (for those) who aren’t playing,’ Son said.

‘But I have to accept it if the gaffer doesn’t choose me, I just have to be ready if I come on or if I’m on the bench. Football is a team sport, I have to accept it and be ready to help my team-mates.

‘Of course, everyone who doesn’t start is a bit sad or disappoint­ed but we are a team so we have to support the starting XI. It’s all about competitio­n. I need to take this because competitio­n makes players better.’ TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-2-3-1): Lloris 7; Aurier 6, Sanchez 6, Vertonghen 7, Davies 6; Dier 6.5, Dembele 6.5 (Sissoko 77min, 5); SON 8.5 (Lamela 70, 5), Alli 7 (Moura 83), Eriksen 8; Kane 7. Subs not used: Trippier, Rose, Wanyama, Vorm. Scorer: Son 27, 54. Booked: Alli. Manager: Mauricio Pochettino 7. HUDDERSFIE­LD TOWN (4-4-2): Lossl 7; Hadergjona­j 5, Zanka 5, Schindler 4, Kongolo 5; Quaner 5 (Ince 33, 6), Williams 6, Hogg 5 (Depoitre 83), Van la Parra 5; Pritchard 5 (Billing 45, 5), Mounie 6. Subs not used: Smith, Malone, Lowe, Green. Booked: Hogg. Manager: David Wagner 6. Referee: Kevin Friend 5. Attendance: 68,311.

 ?? ACTION IMAGES ?? Son shines: the Korean forward scores his first, slotting home after rounding keeper Jonas Lossl (left)
ACTION IMAGES Son shines: the Korean forward scores his first, slotting home after rounding keeper Jonas Lossl (left)
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