Spalletti: Mauricio Pochettino “one of the greats”

Pre-match Champions League press conferences are usually love-fests. Most pre-match press conferences are, actually. It’s a chance for managers and players to talk about how great their opponents are and how much they admire their counterparts on the other side of the pitch.

Today’s press conference at Wembley Stadium, held before tomorrow’s match between Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan, is no exception. Take it away, Inter manager Luciano Spalletti!

“Pochettino is a very good coach, one of the greats. Tactically and technically we see his team play, his team changes line-up and system and you can see the hand of the coach behind the changes, one who knows his work,” he said on Tuesday at Wembley.

”You can see also from a psychological point of view he is really strong and that is an important quality.”

That’s nice to hear! Also true. Spalletti is the latest in a string of players, managers, and pundits who have praised Poch in the wake of Spurs’ 3-1 dismantling of Chelsea this past weekend. Spalletti admitted that he watched the Chelsea match as he scouted Spurs, but hinted that he thinks that, like in Milan, he can find a way to get a result at Wembley on Wednesday.

“We all saw the game. I am not really sure whether it was a complete rout really. I think if you are able to do things that upset them I think the game can go differently.”

With Spurs in a must-win situation and Milan only needing a draw to confirm progression out of the group, we’ll find out whether Pochettino can keep the positive momentum going.