Pochettino hopeful of achieving mission improbable against Barcelona

Tottenham Hotspur coach Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful that his side will be able to upset Barcelona in their final group stage match and pip Inter Milan to the last sixteen of the Champions League.

Barcelona are through to the knockout phase after they completed a 2-1 win over PSV Eindhoven but Spurs and Inter are locked on 7 points each.

Spurs know they cannot rely on PSV to get the job done for them against Inter and so will need to go all out for the win at the Nou Camp in December.

The 1-0 win Spurs achieved over Inter Milan will have give the side a great deal of belief, something Pochettino feels will be vital if they are to make an unlikely escape from their group.

Pochettino insisted Tottenham can make it though saying:

“All is possible. I never say it is mission impossible, in football all can happen, you need to believe.

“It will be tough (to win at Barcelona) but the belief is so important.”

The former Southampton manager gambled big in his selection leaving Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-Min on the bench.

Eriksen came on and would score the winner for Spurs ten minutes from time sparking wild celebrations at Wembley.

Pochettino felt that he had to do something to keep his players on their toes ahead of a crucial encounter and left the pair on the bench despite strong displays in the weekend’s win over Chelsea.

“Sometimes even when you win you have to do something to spark the team, to add fresh legs, to tell them we are all important,” Pochettino said of his selection gamble.

"He deserves to start getting a bit of love now."@jjenas8 thinks it's time Spurs fans start appreciating Moussa Sissoko… pic.twitter.com/qIAo1a0ofq

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 28, 2018