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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Evans

Champions League Final: Mauricio Pochettino's touching wish for Tottenham team photo is granted by Uefa

The traditional pre-match team photograph before the Champions League Final will feature the entire squads of the two sides for the first time, and not just the starting lineups.

The idea of involving the entire squad in the photograph was floated by Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino last week, and backed by Uefa ahead of Saturday's clash with Liverpool.

Pochettino faces some tough decisions with striker Harry Kane back to fitness after seven weeks out and his replacement, Lucas Moura, having scored a hat-trick in the semi-final win against Ajax Amsterdam.

"Of course it's painful to only use the 11 players," the Argentine told a news conference ahead of training on Friday.

"I proposed a few weeks ago for the whole squad to be in the photo. Uefa listened and I think both teams will have that possibility," he said.

Tottenham vs Liverpool: Champions League final preview

A Uefa spokesman later confirmed that the teams have been given that opportunity for the photograph.

Pochettino said that such a gesture would also send a strong broader message: "We talk about a lot of problems in England and tomorrow we can show millions of people the value of togetherness.

Tottenham v Liverpool: Fans gather in Madrid ahead of Champions League final

"Football is a collective sport and the 25 players are so important. The energy of the players not playing will also be decisive in the changing room," he said.

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