Pochettino lauds “massive achievement” vs Barcelona in the Champions League

They did it! Tottenham Hotspur completed an incredible comeback in the Champions League group stage, coming back from one point from their first three matches to squeak past Inter Milan at the post into the last 16. The result comes after a 1-1 draw against Barcelona at Camp Nou, combined with PSV Eindhoven holding Inter Milan to a 1-1 draw at the San Siro — it was just enough for Spurs to sneak into second on tiebreakers.

After the match, Mauricio Pochettino told BT Sport how proud he was of his team’s performance in one of the toughest places play in world football.

“The players were fantastic. A massive effort. I am so happy for the fans. A massive, massive achievement for the club.

“I am so happy. We suffered because when we finished the game we did not know the result at Inter. It was two very difficult minutes, but in the end of course we were so happy. It’s so important for the club.

”I always believed it was possible to win the game. We produced a lot of chances, but after we missed so many we thought maybe it was not our night. We fully deserved to go through with Barcelona. We were the best teams in a difficult group.”

Tottenham now can look ahead to the Round of 16, which will see them face one of Dortmund, PSG, Porto, Bayern/Ajax, Real Madrid, or Juventus when the draw is held this coming Monday.

However, it also means that whoever Spurs draw they will almost certainly play them in their new stadium, which is slated to open either in mid January or early February. It’s something Pochettino is looking forward to as well.

“I am so happy for the fans that are here and for our fans around the world. It’s a massive boost for the club and to have the idea to play in the next stage next year in the new stadium is a massive motivation for us.

”To see those players celebrate inside with the staff you feel for the first time in four and half years that something special had happened.

“I am so happy, so proud. I remember after [the 2-2 draw in] Eindhoven nobody believed in us. They said it was mission impossible but we are here in the last 16. We did it.”