Blues in need of a Pepe talk
HUGO LLORIS says Spurs are braced for an early onslaught from a fired-up Manchester City – insisting that they are “ready to suffer”.
The keeper, whose penalty save from Sergio Aguero in last week’s Champions League quarter-final denied City, before Son Heung-min (below) got the first-leg winner for the Londoners, is prepared for a busy evening.
But he fired a warning to Pep Guardiola’s men that Tottenham remain capable of hurting them on the counter attack on a night when the home side cannot afford to concede.
“From one game to another, the football can change very quickly,” said Lloris.
“It is all about the mentality, the spirit, to have the same idea of football together and then of course we are ready to suffer because tomorrow we are going to suffer.
“But we know we can make the game difficult for them, too. It is just about enjoying being at this stage of the competition, being ready to compete. Momentum is very important.”
Lloris’ penalty save after 13 minutes proved a key moment in the first leg, with Ilkay Gundogan admitting City reacted badly to the setback.
“I don’t think it is the only reason because we made such an effort to win this game, but it was a key moment,” added Lloris.
“But it is going to be a different game. We have a small advantage, but everything can turn quickly.
“It is important to come here with ambition, to stick with our basics and, if we come here with the mentality to score goals, it will make it harder for Man City. We know we will have to suffer.
“We know in the Champions League in a double confrontation it is always important not to concede a goal at home. It can help you for the return game.
“But we are going to face one of the best teams in Europe, they can make the difference at any moment and score a lot of goals.
“One-nil was a good result, but we need to forget it. We are going to have to use our brains as well, but it doesn’t mean we are not going to have to run as well. We have to finish the game with the feeling we have given everything.”
Spurs are missing Harry Kane for the second leg after the striker injured an ankle last week. But Lloris maintained they are not a one-man team.
He said: “He is very difficult to replace, but the good thing is everyone is ready to help the team.
“We have a different profile up front and they are ready to fight and give the maximum for the team. It is all about team performance.”
Spurs would be reaching fresh ground in Champions League football should they make it through to the semi-final stage.
And Lloris said it would be further evidence of progress in north London under manager Mauricio Pochettino.
“We are in a good position and it is a massive opportunity for the club to make a big step forward,” he said.
“But no matter what happens tomorrow, I think we can be very proud of everything.”
Pochettino believes there are still big steps to be made, but said: “With our new stadium, we need to be contenders to fight for the Champions League and the Premier League because we need the tools to be there.
“It is going to be tough to find a way to be on the same level as Real Madrid and Barcelona.
“For us there is a lot of work to be on the level we want in the future.”
vEuropa League quarter-final second leg, tomorrow, 8pm (Chelsea lead 1-0)
CHELSEA are ready to return to Eden Hazard’s former club Lille for his replacement, Nicolas Pepe.
The Ivory Coast winger (above) has made it clear to the French outfit he wants to leave this summer. Lille have responded by slapping a £70million price tag on his head.
The 23-year-old has been a smash hit in Ligue 1 this season, scoring 19 times and assisting a further 11 goals in just 32 matches. The sensational run of form has helped lift Lille up to second in the table.
Chelsea, who meet Slavia Prague in the Europa League at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night, are resigned to losing Hazard at the end of the season as the Belgian has just a year left on his contract.
The Blues are fighting against the transfer ban they have had imposed on them by FIFA and have lined up Pepe in case their appeal is successful.
Hazard spent five years at Lille before leaving for London in a stunning £32m deal in 2012. The 28-year-old has since lifted two Premier Leagues, the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League.
With the club languishing outside the Premier League’s top four, however, Hazard is set to follow up his well-documented wish to work with Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid.
Gary Cahill is continuing to attract interest from West Ham. The former England centre-back has been out in the cold at Chelsea, and is desperate for regular first-team football.
He could get his wish this week with Antonio Rudiger a big doubt for the quarterfinal, second leg.
Rudiger is having a scan to determine the extent of the knee injury he suffered in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool.
Cahill, 33, has made just seven appearances this term, the last of which was against PAOK Salonika five months ago.