Play from the heart, play with freedom — emerge as heroes. That was the gist of the rallying cry from Mauricio Pochettino on Tuesday night as his players prepare for one of the most significant occasions in Tottenham’s history.
And by the sound of things, Pochettino will heed his own advice when he addresses his players for the last time before kick-off at the Johan Cruyff Arena tonight.
‘I won’t prepare a speech,’ said Pochettino. ‘I will speak from the heart and tell them what I feel in the last minute.
Mauricio Pochettino has urged his Tottenham players to play with freedom against Ajax
‘It’s an exciting moment for us to be in a semi-final. We need to enjoy it and have more freedom to play and to start the game the way we want to start.’
Actions speak louder than words, of course. Whether or not Tottenham can overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit against Ajax will depend on what happens on the pitch, not in the dressing room.
Tottenham’s players — a handful of whom have played for Ajax — know what lies ahead.
The Dutch club’s mesmerising opening 30 minutes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last week will serve as a warning.
Spurs are preparing to take on Ajax and they trail by a goal ahead of Wednesday's second leg
But the fact that Ajax appeared to run out of steam in the closing stages should encourage Tottenham.
Pochettino said: ‘Ajax were very good for half an hour. They have a very good team, very good players and a very good coach. They deserve the full credit to be here and that is why they are here, because they are a very good team.
‘To arrive in the semi-final of this competition, the toughest competition in the world, is because you are good. We have nothing to lose from the beginning. We know we need to win.’
But while Pochettino says his team have nothing to lose, his players should feel differently.
