Mauricio Pochettino Highlights Spurs’ Poor Performance Against Ajax

DBasia.news –  Tottenham Hotspur lost at their headquarters when they hosted Ajax Amsterdam in the Champions League semi-final leg one, Wednesday (1/5) WIB. Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham manager, highlighted the team’s poor performance at the start of the game.

Playing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, The Lilywhites lost 0-1 to a goal created by Donny van de Beek in the 15th minute. Spurs started the game slowly before finally being able to dominate possession.

“Seeing it (the Spurs-Ajax game) now of course I accept that our game was wrong. But, there are not too many options (playing others),” Pochettino said, as quoted by Goal.

“I’m not happy – you can’t guess what happens if we play differently. But we played with less energy … and a little careless.”

“We didn’t look good when conceding a goal. Our approach (playing) is not good. I am the manager and I have to be responsible,” continued the Argentine manager.

Nevertheless according to Pochettino, the Spurs can still reverse the aggregate 0-1 goals in the second leg which took place at Johan Cruyff Arena, Thursday (9/5) at 02.00 a.m. WIB.

“In the first half we didn’t start the match well. Ajax showed more energy, it was difficult for us to play (well). Less energy. After conceding a goal – 25-30 minutes – we started playing well. Moussa Sissoko provided additional energy,” added Pochettino.

“In the second half we continued to put pressure on and tried to create opportunities. The fight in the second half was more balanced. We were still ‘alive’. Only behind 0-1. We have to believe we can go there (Ajax headquarters) and win matches,” he concluded.