The way ahead
LAST NIGHT’S STATS
Lamela and dropping Christian Eriksen into a deeper role in midfield. When that did not work, it was of hoofing it up to the big man — in this case Fernando Llorente, the forward Pochettino no longer really wants — for the final five minutes.
Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini highlighted Tottenham’s lack of ruthlessness and Rio Ferdinand, the former Manchester United and England defender, went further on BT Sport, questioning their mental strength. He said: Tottenham 54%
23
6
1
429
6
12
20
Possession
Shots
Shots on target
Saves
Passes completed
Corners
Clearances
Fouls committed Juventus
46%
9
3
5
362
1
36
12 “You don’t want to be too harsh on this team as they took a very experienced Juventus side but this is yet another hurdle they haven’t got over, and mentally they’ve got to be able to come back from this and keep trying to build. “We’ve mentioned the foundations that are being built but they need to get over these hurdles to be talked about as a top club. That is what they are aiming for with these young players, and they’ll be hurting.”
Had Ferdinand been talking about Pochettino alone, the observation would be just as valid. It is time for the Argentine to forget the idea that winning a major trophy “would not change the life” of Tottenham, because it is clear that it would change theirs and his.
The next test of progress comes on March 17 in south Wales, where Tottenham face Swansea for a place in the FA Cup semi-finals. It is a far cry from the Bernabeu, the Westfalenstadion or Juventus Stadium, but it should be the most important date in Pochettino’s diary right now.
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