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'Blame ME - not my players!' - Spurs boss Pochettino hits back after Inter Milan defeat
MAURICIO POCHETTINO has defended his decision to drop Toby Alderweireld and Kieran Trippier in the wake of his side’s last-gasp defeat to Inter Milan.
Spurs were leading 1-0 at the San Siro until the 85th minute, before Mauro Icardi smashed home an equaliser.
With seconds left to play in the match, Matias Vecino popped up at the back post to nab a last-gasp winner.
Tottenham were without Alderweireld and Trippier, having left them both at home after Saturday’s defeat against Liverpool.
Pochettino stated he has no regrets about leaving the pair at home, despite the disappointing defeat.
“Why? ( regret dropping them),” he asked.
“They were on the pitch against Liverpool and Watford. They are easy targets.
“We need to talk about football.
“You force say something that is not good, you disrespect the players who were here today.
“You can blame me on my selection of the starting 11 but please don’t disrespect the players on the pitch.”
Pochettino also said he was proud of the team’s performance, despite the result.
“I think the performance was good,” he said.
“I think in the end the result should have been different, and I think everybody would agree with me.
“I am happy with the performance but unhappy with the result.
“We did not take the chances and kill off the game, when you are in a bad period you need to work double as hard.”