The Europa League is sometimes given a negative reputation due to the lengthy travelling and congestion of games affecting club’s domestic campaigns, but Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is ready to embrace it.
The North London outfit’s Champions League last-16 dream was dashed a fortnight ago when the team suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of Monaco, but they still have an opportunity to compete in Europe.
On Wednesday, Spurs take on CSKA Moscow in their final group game of the campaign at Wembley, and if they avoid defeat, a place in the second-tiered European competition is theirs.
Considering that the Russian outfit sit at the bottom of Group E and are yet to pick up a win in the competition, Spurs are favourites to get the result that they need.
Although having said that, Tottenham have not won any of their European games at Wembley. In fact, they have lost both, so perhaps it will not be a walk in the park.
Spurs are still within a shout of the Premier League title as they reside seven points adrift of leaders Chelsea after 14 games.
Despite the demands of the Europa League potentially stretching the squad, Pochettino insists that the team will give everything if they drop into the competition. He told reporters:
“Our supporters never want us to lose the game. It’s important to be involved in the Europa League, it’s important for the club. Why not think it’s a good opportunity to win some trophies. It is harder to play Thursday and Sunday. It’s not a factor we can prove, it’s more psychological.
“Maybe it’s a good opportunity to be alive and try to win that trophy. I don’t know how to think different way. We need to be positive. I believe it is important.
“Last season we lost against Borussia Dortmund and we tried to go further. Now is not the moment to say ‘only the Premier League’ or ‘FA Cup’. We need to believe. In every competition we play we can win.”
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