Tottenham take on Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday night.
City come into the game as massive favourites as Pep Guardiola’s side go in search of the Quadruple.
However, one thing that will play into Spurs’ hands is the fact that the game will be the first European tie to ever be held at Tottenham’s new stadium.
The 62,062 capacity venue was rocking when Crystal Palace became the first side to visit the venue last Wednesday and an even better atmosphere is expected at the ground when City visit.
Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has said that the move to the new ground has come at the right time for Spurs and that the Lillywhites now have a much better chance of beating City than they would have if the game was being played at Wembley.
In his column for the Sun, Shearer wrote, “All season long we have heard moans about the delays to the completion of Spurs’ ground.
“But as things have turned out, the timing of their move back from Wembley could not have been better.
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“They have had one game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to get used to their new pitch, facilities and surroundings — and passed that test with two goals, a clean sheet and three points.
“So the players — and the fans — will now know what to expect when they turn up tomorrow night for what promises to be a cracking tie.
“There has been talk that the plush new ground will also make City raise their game.
“But in my mind, it will help the hosts far more than the visitors.
“And Spurs certainly stand a better chance of beating City here than if they were playing at Wembley.”
The 48-year-old also said that Pochettino should take note of Liverpool’s performance against Guardiola’s side at Anfield in the 3-0 win last season, as Spurs have to approach the game with similar intensity if they wish to progress to the semifinals.
He added, “Pochettino should also take note of how Liverpool steamrolled City 3-0 at Anfield at exactly the same stage of last year’s competition.
“Because that is the sort of performance his side will have to put in to get through to the last four. And they will have to do that in both legs.”
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