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Pochettino relishes prospect of taking on Liverpool in Champions League final

Pochettino relishes prospect of taking on Liverpool in Champions League final
© Reuters
Lucas Moura scored a hat-trick to book the side's ticket to Madrid.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is predicting an “amazing” Champions League final against Liverpool.

Spurs followed their Premier League rivals to Madrid by replicating their miraculous comeback against Barcelona by seeing off Ajax.

The side were dead and buried at half-time of their semi-final second leg in Amsterdam as they trailed 3-0 on aggregate.

But Lucas Moura completed a stunning second-half hat-trick, with the third coming deep into injury time, to send Spurs through to a first ever Champions League final on away goals and spark amazing scenes in the Johan Cryuff ArenA.

Pochettino was reduced to tears after the game after performing what he called a “miracle” and they will now meet Jurgen Klopp’s side in the Spanish capital on June 1.

Ajax v Tottenham Hotspur – UEFA Champions League – Semi Final – Second Leg – Johan Cruijff ArenA
Tottenham Hotspur’s Lucas Moura celebrates with the match ball after scoring a hat-trick (Adam Davy/PA)

“Allow me to relax a little bit, there is going to be time to talk about Liverpool,” he said.

“I want to congratulate Jurgen Klopp and all the players and Liverpool, because I think they were amazing.

“We enjoyed a lot, watching the tie against Barcelona, they are heroes too and of course it is going to be an amazing final between two English teams that for sure we are going to enjoy.”

Ajax v Tottenham Hotspur – UEFA Champions League – Semi Final – Second Leg – Johan Cruijff ArenA
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris celebrates after the final whistle (Adam Davy/PA)

Spurs have battled against two transfer windows without making a signing, a crippling injury list and playing most of the season at Wembley, leading Pochettino to call his players “superheroes”.

“It’s difficult with words to describe my feelings and my emotions,” he said.

“I think it’s one of the most important nights in my life. How the game finished, everything that happened, the first half, how we planned to play, how the plan was down after three minutes when we conceded the goal, and I think everything was amazing.

“The most important thing I want to say is to congratulate my players. They own the football, they delivered a great job.

“For me, they are heroes. I’ve told you the last six months, I repeat this sentence.

“I think they are superheroes now. To get the club to the final of the Champions League I think is very close to a miracle.

“No-one believed in us from the beginning of the season. We are so close to the top four and have the opportunity in Madrid to play the final against Liverpool.

“It is an amazing season in our new home. This chapter that we’re going to close now, until June 1, it can be amazing to close the chapter playing a final. In case we win, it should be an amazing book.”


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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City37312491226995
2Liverpool37297187226594
3Chelsea37218863392471
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs372311365372870
5Arsenal372071070502067
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd37199965521366
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37169124744357
8Everton37158145244853
9Leicester CityLeicester37156165148351
10Watford37148155155-450
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham37147164854-649
12Crystal Palace37137174650-446
13Bournemouth37136185365-1245
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle37119173848-1042
15Burnley37117194465-2140
16Southampton37911174464-2038
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3799193456-2236
RCardiff CityCardiff3794243269-3731
RFulham3775253477-4326
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3736282175-5415

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