Pochettino confident that Spurs can match City

Manchester City come into the Champions League quarter-final tie against Tottenham as overwhelming favourites.

Pep Guardiaola’s side are in impressive form at the moment and are still on course for an unprecedented quadruple this season.

City have won all of their last five meetings against Spurs including the Premier League match against the lilywhites at Wembley earlier in the season.

However, one thing that could play into Spurs’ hands is the fact that the game will be the first European match held at Tottenham’s new stadium, and the venue is expected to have an electric atmosphere during the game.

Pochettino admitted that Guardiola’s side come into the game as favourites. He said that no matter how well he prepares his team ahead of the game, executing the game plan against this City side will be difficult.

However, the Argentine insisted that his side are more than capable of matching City over the ninety minutes.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Pochettino told Football.London, “In theory before the game it’s so easy to play and prepare and all the strategies are good. The problem is after delivering.

“We know City are doing fantastically, they have unbelievable players. Some of the best coaching staff and manager in the world.

“It’s going to be tough. We’re playing quarter-finals, not a friendly and in the quarter-finals the big players, the big teams love to play this type of game.

“We need to be sure to match their motivation and desire. We can match nearly everything or the thing we cannot match is when we talk about only talent inside the pitch.

“In different situations we can match Manchester City and then it’s 11 vs 11 players and we hope my team is going to be better than them.”

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