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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Darren Lewis

Mauricio Pochettino reveals Spurs' secret weapon to reach Champions League final

Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham’s £1billion new stadium is helping to build a bridge for the north Londoners to the Champions League final.

Spurs have won each of their three home games - against Palace, Manchester City and Huddersfield - at their stunning new arena since moving in at the start of April.

Victory in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against City was crucial in helping them into the last four.

Now Pochettino has to inspire his men to three points against Brighton as Spurs bid to hold down a place in the top four.

The Argentine said: “I hope we keep getting the same results. Of course it is going to be fantastic and it is going to be very helpful for us to play in our stadium in front of our fans.

Spurs have had a great start in their incredible new stadium (Paul Simpson/Frozen in Motion/REX)

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“I hope and wish to keep the same results as the previous matches.”

Spurs travel to Amsterdam next week for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against another surprise package, Ajax.

Pochettino is confident that his players have come of age enough to remain focused on the job in hand against Chris Hughton’s men instead of getting carried away with their European success.

“We’re not thinking about Ajax, like we showed at City.” Said Pochettino. “We showed there that we were thinking of the Premier League.

“Now our energy is on Brighton. We have two alternatives: One is to be the top four at the end of the season and the other to beat Ajax.

They've already won three from three - and have beaten Manchester City (EMPICS Sport)
Son in particular is a big fan of the ground (EMPICS Sport)

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“But we have to go step by step. That’s important. The players know it. Their behaviour and mentality is perfect.”

Already without Harry Kane for the rest of the season, Pochettino continues to be without Moussa Sissoko who came off midway through last week’s Champions League tie at City and will miss the home leg against Ajax.

Sissoko joins Kane in the treatment room ahead of Brighton while Hugo Lloris and Harry Winks will also be assessed.

"Moussa Sissoko is not going to be fit, maybe for the next two weeks, we hope he can recover before but I am not so optimistic.

"Harry Winks we don't know because it is a problem one day very good, next day not very good, it is about assessing each day.”

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