What happens if City score early? Pochettino responds during press conference

Last week’s tie against Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League quarter final saw Mauricio Pochettino’s men beat the current Premier League holders.

Spurs will take a slender 1-0 advantage to the Etihad this evening, thanks to Heung-min Son’s solo effort in 78th minute.

The Lilywhites are in a good position to make history by qualifying for the semi-finals of the competition for the first time in history.

If Pochettino’s players find the net in the electrifying encounter, Pep Guardiola’s Citizens will have to score at least three goals on the night.

In yesterday’s press conference the Argentinian manager was asked how his team will deal mentally if City score an early goal during the second leg.

The winners of the tie will face Ajax Amsterdam in the semi-final after they impressively beat Juventus last night.

If Spurs can navigate their way past City, it will be the first time in the club’s history in which they have made it to the final four of the competition.

Tottenham boss told Football.London: “It’s impossible to guess and impossible to predict what is going to happen tomorrow. We know very well all this and how they start the games.

“Preparing, preparing the plan or giving advice before to play or using one or another setup, the most important after is the players delivery on the pitch and, of course, how the opponent is going to behave.

“It’s a lot of solutions that can happen in football that you cannot be sure that you are going to control. That’s why football is what it is.

“It’s so unpredictable and can change quick. A small thing can make a big difference. We know very well they are so strong, start so aggressive and have a high tempo from the very beginning.

“Yes, that is a challenge to try and stop them. It’s a challenge to try to be offensive, aggressive and try to play in the opposite half.

“We know it’s going to be tough and they always dominate their opponent as they have quality.

“We need to believe that we can stop them and show our quality tomorrow and beat them. Of course, it’s not a secret or a plan that is going to work 100 per cent tomorrow.

“Of course, the plan is to convince the players that we can deliver the job and do something that allow us or be close to beat them.”

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