POCH READY TO CROCK ‘N’ ROLL

Injury-hit Spurs will not look for excuses

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has refused to play the victim card ahead of his clash with the boss who dumped him.

The Spurs manager has Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen, Mousa Dembele and Serge Aurier all injured for the visit of Ernesto Valverde’s Barcelona tonight.

It was Valverde who told former Argentina international Pochettino his defensive services were no longer required at Espanyol 12 years ago.

But yesterday he refused to grumble about the past or the present as he faced up to the challenge of taking on Lionel Messi and his team-mates at Wembley in the midst of an injury crisis.

He said: “It’s difficult because so many players are injured, but I’m not going to say that because we are not going to play with this or this guy we don’t have chances to win.

“I am not the victim and I am not going to be the victim in football and in life.

“If we are not capable of winning, it’s because maybe Barcelona are better.

“And if we win, it’s because we are a team, whatever the names.

“We are strong because we are Tottenham and every player must feel he is capable to win and give their best and help the team to achieve what we want.”

Pochettino is also taking a positive stance on Valverde ending his playing career.

In his book ‘Brave New World’ he revealed the decision was tough to take at first, but later realised that it was the right one.

“If I had not been pushed to leave football I would have continued to crawl my way on to the playing field,” he wrote.

Respect

Yesterday he again admitted it had been “difficult” to accept Valverde’s verdict but said: “I respect him, he is a great professional and a great coach.

“It happened more than 10 years ago and, of course, I completely understand the decision now.”

Spurs beat eventual Champions League winners Real Madrid 3-1 at Wembley this time last year but Pochettino insists Lloris fit again, will have to be on their guard to stop Messi, who has scored 20 times in 28 games against English opposition.

Kane out-scored everyone else in the top European leagues with 56 goals for club and country during 2017.

While Kane trails Messi’s 560 club goals by a long way, if he scores twice tonight he will have reached double figures in the Champions League in 11 that brilliant win is not something his men needed to be reminded of to boost their confidence.

“I think we are in a different period,” he said. “For the players who played it was the most important game they had played.

“But now they have played in the World Cup. The past is the past. The most important thing is how we can affect the present and future.

“You cannot motivate now in the same way we did one year ago, even if they are the same players.

“Football is not a drama. The most important thing is to be focused and competitive but enjoy the opportunity to play against the best player in the world like Messi.

“It is a massive opportunity, so we must be optimistic and smile when we go on to the pitch and not to be too serious.” fewer games. He called on fans to help Spurs by recreating the Wembley atmosphere that helped them beat Real Madrid 3-1 this time last year.

Kane said: “Real Madrid was a great night for us. The crowd were amazing for us and that’s what we need again.

“I’m sure it will be a full house. We need to get them on their feet, create some chances and hopefully take one.

“We’ve got to prove we can beat the best teams in the world.”