Moscow doesn’t scare us
the pitch and the rest is not in our hands.
“The atmosphere there gives them a big home advantage. But that Ajax team was a very young side, whereas now we know in the Premier League how to play difficult away games.
“So nobody is scared to play in Moscow. I’m very confident we will be able to play our own game.”
The impetus is on Tottenham to secure all three points after disappointing in their opening Champions League match with a “home” defeat by Monaco at Wembley. “Look, we want to do everything to win,” said Alderweireld. “That’s the way we go into every game.
“We know there is a little bit more pressure but we have to have confidence in our own game.”
It will undoubtedly be a test of Tottenham’s resources with three major players missing from the heart of the midfield.
Moussa Sissoko picked up a concussion against Middlesbrough on Saturday, and Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele are still recovering from knocks received the week before at home to Sunderland. “We have a lot of games ahead, a difficult period and then the international break,” said head coach Mauricio Pochettino. “We will not take a risk with them.
“Dier and Danny Rose are at the same level. We will see with Dembele. But why take a risk when it’s only one or two days after we played against Middlesbrough? It makes no sense to take risks.
“When you play in the Champions League, it’s important to sign a strong squad and players who can compete. We are competitive. We have the squad and a good opportunity for those who have not played too much.”
And, as Alderweireld knows, if you keep taking it one game at a time anything is possible – even for an unfancied side such as Spurs.
The Belgium defender was part of the Atletico Madrid team that came within a whisker of winning the 2014 Champions League, only to lose to city rivals Real in extra-time.
“Two or three minutes before the end, we conceded our lead and then of course you are very upset and you want to change it, but we couldn’t,” said Alderweireld.
“We gave everything in the 90 minutes and after that extra-time was difficult for us.
“Of course it hurts. It seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime chance. But I learned that every team can win the Champions League if you put your mind to it.”