What Mauricio Pochettino said after the Barcelona defeat

Mauricio Pochettino praised the spirit of his Tottenham Hotspur players following the 4-2 defeat to Barcelona.

After going behind after just 90 seconds of the Champions League encounter courtesy of a huge mistake from Hugo Lloris, it was an uphill task for Tottenham.

Tottenham’s injury problems before the game were well documented, but it was Lloris who gifted the away side the upper hand. Ivan Rakitic added a second with a beautiful volley to make it 2-0 at half time.

Whatever Pochettino said at half time certainly worked and there was an improved display in the second half.

Harry Kane and Erik Lamela, briefly gave us the chance of taking something from the match by cutting the deficit to one goal, but it was Lionel Messi who put the game beyond us.

“I want to congratulate the team because we were always in the game,” Pochettino told BT Sport as quoted by the Standard. “It was massive in the second half, we were fighting and never gave up.

“What can you say? What can you do more? I think it’s impossible. I’m so proud. I’m disappointed with the result but the effort was massive. Of course there were a few mistakes, that is clear.”

On Messi, Pochettino added: “He’s a fantastic player and not because I tell you but the most important is because Messi in every game shows why he’s Messi.

“His average performance I think is this type of game, that is always above everything.”