Real Madrid victory may have gone to our head, admits Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino

Tottenham have struggled for results in the league after beating Madrid 3-1 in an assertive display at Wembley last month

Samuel Lovett
Tuesday 05 December 2017 18:12 GMT
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The Tottenham boss said it was possible his side have become over-confident
The Tottenham boss said it was possible his side have become over-confident (Getty)

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Mauricio Pochettino has conceded that Tottenham may have become over-confident following the side’s Champions League victory over Real Madrid last month.

The north Londoners secured qualification for the knockout stages of Europe’s elite competition after beating the 2017 champions 3-1 in an assertive display at Wembley.

But since that memorable night in early November, Tottenham have won just one league game since – a narrow 1-0 over relegation contenders Crystal Palace.

Speaking ahead of Tottenham’s dead-rubber against Apoel Nicosia on Wednesday night, Pochettino admitted that it was possible the result against Real Madrid “changed something in our mind”.

When asked whether his team had become complacent after that win, the Argentine said: “Today all is possible.

“Because when you don't win, all is possible. All is related.

“Maybe, maybe it is possible that (there was) too much confidence. Maybe it is possible that another reason, in that moment after Real Madrid happened and changed something in our mind.

“Or maybe because after playing at a high level, high tempo with massive pressure, the team needs to breathe to bounce back and assimilate. That situation was new for everyone. All the opinions are good and maybe they are all wrong.


Spurs put on a show to down Real Madrid last month 

 Spurs put on a show to down Real Madrid last month 
 (Getty)

“The most important now is to help them to start to perform in the way we did against Madrid and Dortmund and in games like Liverpool when we were fantastic.”

Tottenham host Apoel Nicosia at Wembley on Wednesday evening with their position as Group H winners already secured.

As a result, Pochettino confirmed on Tuesday that star forward Harry Kane will be absent from the fixture alongside Christian Eriksen, Eric Dier, Kieran Trippier and Hugo Lloris.

In their place, the likes of Fernando Llorente, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou and Juan Foyth are all expected to feature.

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