LONDON • Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said he was living the dream in the build-up to their Champions League semi-final against Ajax, but it must have felt like a nightmare at times against the classy Dutch side on Tuesday.
Borrowing a line from the Disney cartoon hero Buzz Lightyear when he urged his players to go "to infinity and beyond", Spurs were instead sent crashing down to earth after being comprehensively outplayed in the first 30 minutes.
They were fortunate to only concede a 15th-minute Donny van de Beek goal that gave the visitors a precious 1-0 away win.
Pochettino took his share of the blame for a "sloppy" display after admitting he used the wrong tactics.
Ajax dominated the first half until he completely changed his game plan by switching from a 3-5-2 formation to a 4-4-2 system.
Tactics aside, the Spurs boss was also angry with the lethargic way his players started the club's first European Cup semi-final in 57 years.
"The attitude was there, but we didn't find a way to play," he said.
"We didn't show the energy that we wanted to show. They showed more energy than us. The way we conceded the goal was painful.
"Our approach to the game was not good. I am the manager so I have responsibility. I can accept it was a mistake the shape we used. But our lack of energy from the beginning made our game difficult."
With Harry Kane and Son Heung-min unavailable through injury and suspension respectively, Spurs were blunt in attack and they also lacked creativity in midfield.
Aided by the introduction of Moussa Sissoko for the injured Jan Vertonghen just after the half-hour mark, Tottenham regained a measure of control but could not hurt Ajax with their long-ball barrage.
POSITIVE THINKING
We are alive. It's only 1-0 down. We need to believe we can go there and win the game.
MAURICIO POCHETTINO, Tottenham manager, remains positive that his side can overturn the 1-0 first-leg deficit and reach the Champions League final.
Vertonghen, one of three centre-backs deployed by Pochettino, had to be substituted after a collision with teammate Toby Alderweireld left him with a bloody nose.
Pochettino was also asked to clarify the situation in which Vertonghen needed lengthy treatment and was given the all-clear by Spurs medics to continue playing, before the clearly-groggy Belgian was then helped off the field as it became clear he could not continue.
Spurs said he had passed all the on-field concussion tests, as per protocol - in other words, he had not suffered a concussion.
"The rules and the protocol were there and the medical staff followed them," Pochettino said.
"In the next action, we had to take him out. The most important thing is the health of the player. I only need to listen and hear what they say and take a decision. I will never debate their decision."
Ajax, who were sharper in mind and body, seized a deserved lead when Frenkie de Jong, David Neres, Lasse Schone, Hakim Ziyech and van de Beek tore Spurs apart.
Found by Neres, Schone instantly worked the ball across to Ziyech, who placed the ball between Vertonghen and Danny Rose for van de Beek.
A master at movement between the lines, van de Beek timed his run to perfection and demonstrated a masterclass in composure and technique with his finish.
Despite an improved second-half display, Spurs managed only one effort on target.
But Pochettino remains hopeful that his side can turn things around.
"We pushed them to play deeper (in the second half). We started to press in the way we wanted to press. The second half has given us the hope for the second leg," he said. "We are alive. It's only 1-0 down. We need to believe we can go there and win the game."
THE GUARDIAN, THE TIMES, LONDON, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Antonio Conte: Former Chelsea manager named Inter Milan boss
Madrid will deploy an unprecedented number of police and security personnel for Saturday's all-English Champions League final, and use a drone for the first time to monitor fan activity. With Spain's Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English CL final - Sports News | SPORTSAXE
Football: Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English
worldsportstale.com/soccer/football-madrid-plans-robust-security-for-all-english-champions-league-final/
05/30/2019 Comments Off on Football: Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English Champions League final MADRID (AFP) - Madrid will deploy an unprecedented number of police and security personnel for Saturday's (June 1) all-English Champions League final, and use a drone for the first time to monitor fan activity.
Football: Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English
Look At These Goals from Lionel Messi in 2019 Season Too Much, Just Too Much ¡ ||HD|| - Duration: 9:01. Messi Magic™ 1,479,672 views
Barcelona 1 Levante 0: Messi goal secures LaLiga title as
Gonzalo Higuain has joined Chelsea on loan from Juventus for the remainder of the season, the Premier League club have confirmed. Chelsea then have the option to extend the loan deal for a season
Gonzalo Higuaín joins Chelsea from Juventus on loan with
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany said his team are the "best in the world" after they thrashed Watford 6-0 in the FA Cup final to claim an unprecedented treble. It is the first time in
Kompany quits Manchester City to become Anderlecht's player
By Peter Hall. May 4 (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino remained defiant despite his side preparing for their Champions League semi-final second leg against Ajax Amsterdam
Pochettino defiant as poor Tottenham form continues
Football: Tunisian club win African title after final
Russell Westbrook is with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the long haul. The next 16 games could determine what kind of help he has beyond this season. The clock is ticking on this Thunder core
Clock Ticking on MTA Overtime Glut as Union Sours on Cuomo
"I don't think there is any," Virgil van Dijk tells reporters of his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or after leading Liverpool to a historic sixth Champions League crown.
SBOBET | Premier League: No Warm Welcome for Liverpool in the
blog.ace7556.com/premier-league-no-warm-welcome-liverpool-in-east-end/
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool need to stay cool, though, as the temperature in the title race is beginning to get rather warm. The Premier League 2019 betting odds will stay with Liverpool as long as they keep winning; the leaders are available at 1.48 while Manchester City are at 2.70 here at SBOBET.
Limerick and Galway face test of credentials as early
As for two-time champions Home United, they have already started will with a win over Albirex Niigata in the Community Shield. Winning via penalty shootout, this definitely gives the team a boost
Free-scoring Home United and Albirex Niigata lead the way in
England soccer captain Harry Kane received the MBE award on Thursday for services to football after leading the national team to the World Cup semi-final in Russia last Summer, according to Reuters. Prince William, the president of the English Football Association, presented
England soccer captain Harry Kane is made an MBE (Member of
Mohamed Salah statistics - 26 years_old Liverpool Attacking Midfielder (Centre, Left, Right) / Forward. Check out his latest detailed stats including goals, assists, strengths & weaknesses and
Carragher - Salah is more Ronaldo than Messi, only he can
If Moyes does not add at least an attacking and a defensive midfielder to his squad this summer United will remain well short of rivals at home and abroad. Misfit Nani is unlikely to repeat last summer's about-face and remain at Old Trafford - Italy or Spain beckon for the 27-year-old winger. Meanwhile, few supporters will shed a tear if
Wigan 0 Everton 1: Tim Cahill heads late winner as Toffees extend splendid run. 'In Germany when I win, after the game I am half p****d, but I didn't even get a water!':
West Ham 0-2 Everton RESULT - Toffees win at London Stadium
VAR drama mars Juve's historic win. Dec 31, 2018, 5:00 am. Football: We are all Koulibaly: Napoli fans don masks to support racism victim. Dec 30, 2018, 6:09 pm.
Veronica Mars & 90210 Revivals: Everything We Know
watch champions league live streaming xbox one
watch soccer online free streaming live reddit
watch everton vs tottenham live soccer streaming
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online reddit
watch live english premier league online free streaming
watch coppa america live streaming philippines
watch premier league live streaming xbox
watch coppa america live streaming kenya
watch coppa america live streaming direct
watch soccer live streaming zee tv
watch coppa america live streaming ufc
watch champions league live streaming now free
watch champions league live streaming xfinity
watch coppa america live streaming video
watch coppa america live streaming jamaica
watch coppa america live streaming youtube
watch soccer online free streaming live india
watch barclays premier league live streaming online free
watch soccer game live espn
watch soccer online free streaming live world cup
watch coppa america live streaming qatar
watch premier league live streaming online
watch champions league live streaming live free
watch soccer live streaming kenya
free watch soccer live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming usa
watch indian premier league live stream online
watch coppa america live streaming quality
how to watch premier league live streaming
super soccer tv live streaming persib
watch champions league live streaming pakistan
watch coppa america live streaming cricfree
watch champions league live streaming espn
watch coppa america live streaming gratis
watch soccer online free streaming live app
watch soccer online free streaming live hd
watch soccer online free streaming live p2p
watch uefa champions league quarter final draw live streaming
free watch champions league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming sctv
watch soccer online free streaming live uk
watch coppa america live streaming english
where to watch free live soccer streaming online
watch coppa america live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch champions league live streaming jamaica
watch coppa america live streaming xbox
watch coppa america live streaming live free
watch english premier league live streaming hd
watch champions league live streaming mobile
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
tv soccer live stream sky
watch premier league live streaming quality
watch coppa america live streaming vf
watch coppa america live streaming bola
watch english premier league live streaming free
watch champions league live streaming putlockers
watch soccer online free streaming live south africa
watch champions league live streaming bein sport
watch live soccer streaming on android
watch champions league semi final draw live stream
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming free online
watch champions league live streaming cricfree
watch champions league live streaming vf
watch champions league final live streaming online
watch us soccer live stream
watch soccer live streaming qatar
watch coppa america live streaming without cable
watch soccer online free streaming live no registration
watch soccer online free streaming live canada
watch coppa america live streaming mobile
watch uefa champions league live streaming youtube
watch champions league live streaming zee tv
super soccer tv live streaming garuda select
watch usa soccer live stream online
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming
live ipl live streaming- watch indian premier league 2013 online
watch soccer online free streaming live first row
watch soccer live streaming reddit
www.watch premier league live stream.com
watch soccer online free streaming live bbc
watch live soccer online free streaming now
soccer tv live football streaming garuda select
watch coppa america live streaming india vs england
watch champions league live streaming now
watch soccer am live stream
watch champions league live stream gratis
watch champions league live streaming zee5
watch live streaming soccer manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming twitch
watch champions league simulcast live stream
watch live streaming of premier league football
watch soccer live streaming zimbabwe
#Bar #football #americanfootball #afcnews #rugby #henderson #Sunday #vandijk #championsleague #nutmeg #klopp #zinedinezidane #Barcelona #ignoranza #firmino #satira #24x7 #freekickerz #champion #manunited #premierleague #londoncity #arsenal #footballmemes #streamingbolaid #coffeebreak #coys #footballdubai #golf #acmilan #Barca #ucl #elcasico #gym #footballmeme #mancityvsliverpool #liverpoolfc #oasisengland #myfootballuniverse #battuteepiche #footballfans #kopisusu #bayern #footballstreaming #zidane #pagani #chocolatecoffee #boxing #leomessi #fcbarcelona #realmadridcf #valcea #oasisandbeatles #panini #romania #league2 #thomasmeunier #liverpool #soccer #mensnightout #cristianoronaldo #meunier #gunners #juventus #neymar #championship #visubal #soccer #crossfit #sixtimes #calciatoribrutti #mancity #manchesterunited #commentimemorabili #midnight #jadwalbolahariini #arsenalfantv #winner #bayervshoffenheim #kickoff #beatifulgame #leicestercity #freekick #alissonbecker #goodday #realmadrid #messi #liverpool #adidasslipon #frasirap #trollfootball #watchlive #soccerbible #oasisofficial #hoffenhiem #Suarez #GarageCafeDxb
No comments:
Post a Comment