Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Mauricio Pochettino hoping squad rotation can hold key to Europa League success
MAURICIO POCHETTINO believes managing his Tottenham squad well can put them on the road to Europa League success.
Mauricio Pochettino (right) is hoping to guide Spurs to Europa League glory
Spurs host Fiorentina at White Hart Lane tomorrow (8:05pm) and it will be the 42nd match the north London outfit have played this season.
The Serie A outfit will be no pushovers, but Pochettino thinks his side are well equipped physically and mentally for the challenge.
"We have played a lot of games in different competitions but we are better prepared," Pochettino said.
"We have improved a lot. It is all in our minds.
"The physical condition of the players is very good. The team is now ready to compete.
"We are certainly better now than we were four or five months ago.
"We have improved our mentality. Now it is all about football and focussing on each game in hand."
Pochettino firmly believes Spurs who haven't played for 10 days, will benefit from the break.
Tottenham Transfer Round up
We have improved our mentality. Now it is all about football and focussing on each game in hand
He continued: "Everyone is fit so it wasn't too long a break, but nevertheless it helped with their recovery.
"They feel more energised as they had a tough run of games."
Like his manager, Nacer Chadli believes Spurs have a strong chance of going all the way in the Europa League.
He said: "The Europa League is much more important now.
"The Champions League is where we want to be.
"For us it is a good game - we know it won't be easy, but we know we have quality."
Harry Kane has been instrumental for Spurs this season
Harry Kane has been instrumental to Spurs this term, smashing home 23 goals in all competitions.
And Chadli believes Kane won't be fazed about whether or not he will be a 'marked man'.
"I think he [Kane] is a smart lad," Chadli said.
"You could see also in recent games that the defence had a lot of focus on him.
“But he just waits for his moment, only a few seconds, and he gets the ball and makes the difference."
Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?