His counterpart, Hans-Dieter Flick, coach of Bayern Munich, had already ruled out, a few hours earlier, any notion of revenge in relation to the final of the 2020 edition: “It's a new match, a new team, a new coach… In Paris, everything is different.
At a press conference this Tuesday afternoon, Mauricio Pochettino, in turn, refused any comparison with the Lisbon final won by Bayern (1-0).
“It's not a benchmark match for us,” he said.
We weren't there, we were just spectators.
The context is different.
It was a final.
There are two appointments.
I don't think it's a rematch.
It is rather to show that we can beat an opponent like Bayern, which is the best team in Europe.
This is our motivation.
"
A few minutes before the intervention of Pochettino, the German club had formalized the news of the package of its striker Serge Gnabry, positive for Covid-19.
A blow for Bayern, already forced to do without Robert Lewandowski.
"Bayern have absences, but so do we," noted the Argentine coach.
Like Verratti, Icardi, Paredes… We're going through a complicated time with this virus and the injuries.
All the staffs of all the teams must adapt.
"
"Neymar did not deserve this red"
In this regard, Pochettino highlights the main danger of his opponent: his collective strength.
“Bayern's strength is its collective, its workforce,” he assures us.
When you win the Champions League and you are also the club world champion, it's because you have a very good squad and not just eleven performing players.
Of course Lewandowski and Gnabry are very good players but, once again, we too have lost in some Verratti or Icardi matches.
With Tottenham, I have played important games without Harry Kane.
Afterwards, it is sure that for Bayern, it is absences that weigh.
"
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The technician will be able to count on Neymar, who is expected a lot after his expulsion on Saturday against Lille (0-1).
About him, Pochettino explained: “After six weeks without playing, he was very excited.
He's an emotional player, he loves to play, he likes to fight, he's a competitor.
Against Lille, he did not deserve this red.
He's been shut out for various reasons, but he knows he needs to channel himself and how to behave.
We hope that tomorrow everything will be fine.
Against Bayern, we will have to be solid and I hope that the whole team will show what it takes to achieve the performance we want.
"
