Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino revels in his side’s imperious fitness ahead of Sunday’s north London derby after moving within touching distance of Europa League knockout stages
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino revelled in his side’s imperious fitness ahead of Sunday’s north London derby against Arsenal after Spurs moved within touching distance of the Europa League knockout stages with victory over Anderlecht last night.
Substitute Mousa Dembele was Tottenham’s match-winner with a spectacular half-volley with only three minutes remaining after fellow replacement Imoh Ezekiel had cancelled out the rejuvenated Harry Kane’s first-half opener.
Spurs, who boast a 10-game unbeaten Premier League record, have one less day than Arsenal to prepare for the derby, while Pochettino’s side came into the Anderlecht clash having played Aston Villa at White Hart Lane on Monday evening.
“It is not because we have a young squad [that we recover quickly]. We run a lot and now we win the games,” said Pochettino. “It is because of the way we train and this is our sport science and medical team.
“When you need to push the players every day sometimes it is very hard for them to suffer because of the way we push them with running and training. Now you can say you are pleased and you can be proud about them and how they recover every two days.”
Spurs will seal their place in the Europa League’s round of 32 with a game to spare if they beat bottom of the group FK Qarabag in Azerbaijan on 26 November and Monaco defeat Anderlecht at the Stade Louis II.