Football news - Pochettino understands lack of Wembley atmopshere, gives Trippier injury update
ByPA Sport
Updated 06/12/2018 at 10:14 GMT
Mauricio Pochettino insists he understands the lack of atmosphere at Wembley, despite Tottenham beating Southampton 3-1.
Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Tottenham Hotspur and FC Internazionale at Wembley Stadium on November 28, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
The Argentine manager defended supporters when only 33,000 turned up at the national stadium, after many took up an opportunity of a refund, leaving swathes of empty spaces.
And Pochettino, who also gave an update on Kieran Trippier's fitness, believes it was a hangover from the defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates, just three days previously.
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Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-Min celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton at Wembley Stadium in London, on December 5, 2018.
Image credit: Getty Images
He said: "Of course it was a difficult evening, but it was a difficult evening for not only the players, for the fans and we cannot ask for more.
"I think we need to find our own motivation. I think sometimes this type of game happens. After the defeat against Arsenal, you can understand the disappointment of the fans this evening to come here to Wembley is so tough, I completely understand.
"I hope in the future, to provide a better performance and make our fans happy.
The fans wanted to come here to share with us the happiness but [I have] nothing to say because today to come to Wembley was tough and I understand the situation why Wembley wasn’t great in the atmosphere.
Pochettino also suggested Trippier’s injury problems this season are a result of being overworked at the World Cup.
Trippier made his first start against Southampton, but did not make full-time as he limped off in the final five minutes, appearing to hold the injured part of his body.
It is a problem he first suffered at the World Cup in the summer when he could not finish England’s heartbreaking semi-final loss with Croatia.
Despite that, he was picked to play in the third-place play-off against Belgium three days later and Pochettino believes the problem is chronic and he will be suffering for a long period.
“I think it’s the same problem, the same problem that started in the World Cup,” the boss said.
“If you remember the semi-final against Croatia, when he left the pitch. Then I think to play after three days against Belgium, I think maybe it affected a little bit.
“Now he’s suffering in that situation.
“In situations like today when the pitch is not in a good condition, this area, the groin, suffers more when the pitch is different.
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Trippier limped off in the 87th minute against Southampton
Image credit: PA Sport
“It’s a thing that we need to care a lot for him, protect him, he needs to work a lot to protect and sort that problem.
“It will be a long period for him suffering this type of problem.
“When I was in Argentina as a 19-year-old I suffered and it is an area that is difficult to sort out.
“But I don’t believe it’s a big thing. It’s only he needs to start to accept that situation and live with sometimes some pain and play.”
Given he did not finish the game, it seems unlikely Trippier will play against Leicester on Saturday, instead more likely to return against Barcelona in the Champions League next week.
Additional reporting: PA Sport
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