Tottenham Hotspur won’t play risk-free defensive football when they travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Real Madrid, according to Mauricio Pochettino.
Manchester United’s cautious approach in their 0-0 draw against Liverpool on Saturday drew criticism from many quarters, but Spurs’ manager says he won’t employ similar tactics against the back-to-back Champions League winners on Tuesday night.
“We will try to dominate,” Pochettino told The Times.
“We will try to be better, but it’s a massive challenge for us to dominate them. We will press high, try to play in the opposition’s half, try to be aggressive and brave. That’s how we feel football should be played. If they try to push us back deeper, then OK we may have to adapt to their quality. But from the beginning we will be brave and aggressive and play to win the game.”
“Everyone in football chooses their way to play,” Pochettino said. “Football is so open with so many ideas and you must respect every way. But if you ask me, we are going to Madrid to play football and be Tottenham. We do not change because we are playing in Madrid.
“The first time is always important, to show we can handle that pressure, and play in that type of game. It’s a good opportunity. I’m so excited and motivated to go and put on a performance. It’s Real Madrid and we respect them, but we go to play.”
“I don’t know how Mourinho has the nerve,” Crooks told the BBC.
“I remember him slamming former West Ham manager Sam Allardyce for ‘parking the bus’ having seen the Hammers produce a brilliant display at Stamford Bridge some years ago. He has also used the term to describe other performances by those who insist on containing the opposition and have refused to play an open game against his teams.
“So forgive my annoyance when Mourinho adopts the same tactics to save his own behind on occasions.
“Sir Alex Ferguson would never have subjected United fans, or one of his teams, to such a cowardly display, especially at Liverpool.
“I have picked Manchester United for the title, but having seen such a gutless performance by Mourinho at Liverpool, I think I may have made a mistake.”
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