TUCHEL: PSG MUST FORGET REDS SHOCK
Group B: 5.55pm
IT HAS taken more than three months but Mauricio Pochettino believes that Tottenham can finally start putting the damage caused by their Champions League Final defeat behind them.
When the famous anthem sounds, it is a chance for his side to get back to business in the competition after never really doing themselves justice in the biggest game for the club in more than 50 years.
Their capitulation in Madrid at the end of last season to Liverpool leaves a searing sense of unfinished business and an early kick-off in Greece against Olympiakos will give Pochettino’s side a chance to make early amends.
“Of course, it is a long period after the final in Madrid,” said the Spurs boss. “Being honest, I was thinking a lot during the summer. To finish that way, in the final, is always so painful.
“You can’t put aside the feeling of losing the last game of the season. You have to wait to repair the damage.
“It will be a big challenge and it is so exciting to start a new campaign in Greece. When you are a professional you wait for these games. The players, too, are so excited to spend another season playing in the Champions League.
“We know if we want to repeat the same campaign we need to play at our best. It is so early to talk about the final but most important is to show our quality, our squad quality from tomorrow and do our best. I don’t care what people think – if we are contenders or not because we went to the final and have a possibility to fight for this title. “I’m just focused on starting this Champions League in a good way.” Pochettino has made no secret of his desire to finally crown the amazing building job he has done at Tottenham with some silverware.
And although he has managed to keep key players such as Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, there is very much a sense that with the trio in the last year of their deals, his first incarnation of a Spurs team will have to be evolved radically over the next 12 months if the success is to continue. Although he is set to ring the changes with a hectic schedule of fixtures in the next three weeks, he expects his players to give their all whatever their situation.
“A few players start the last year of their contracts but that is in the hands of the club and the club will take the best decision to be competitive every season,” added Pochettino.
“The trust is massive. All that was affecting different players is now in the past. We are focused on trying to perform in our best way. At the end of the season, we will see what happens. “I’m happy with the commitment the players show whether it is five years, two or one year left on their contracts. “That’s good news. Giving our best for our fans to feel proud.” Group A: 8pm PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN have been urged to forget about last season’s shock defeat by Manchester United before facing Real Madrid tonight.
Neymar had his three-match ban for insulting the match officials reduced to two by the Court of Arbitration for Sport yesterday.
But the Brazilian superstar will still miss the opening two games – including against the Spanish giants – in the Qatari-owned club’s latest bid to win the Champions League.
A controversial late penalty award to United (celebrating, below) in February saw PSG fail to even reach the quarter-finals, despite spending £1billion since 2011.
Coach Thomas Tuchel (above) said: “The challenge is to do better than last season.
“There was a lot of pressure last season in a very complicated squad. In sport, you have to carry on, despite the failures, and learn from every defeat. It was very hard after Manchester, we were not happy, but we have to forget it to go forward.
“We have new players and we have gained experience and personality.”
Real boss Zinedine Zidane could unleash his new attacking trident of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard for the first time.
Hazard made his first appearance off the bench in the weekend victory over Levante after recovering from a thigh injury, following his £89million transfer from Chelsea.
“He is fit and ready to play the 90 minutes,” confirmed Zidane.