Pochettino wants to start the group stage better than Spurs did last season

Tottenham Hotspur may have had a dream Champions League campaign last season, but they certainly did not have a dream start to the group stages.

Spurs were drawn in a tough quartet alongside Barcelona, Inter Milan, and PSV, with the Lilywhites taking just one point from their first three games.

Tottenham outplayed Inter away from home but were hit by two late goals to lose the match 2-1 on opening night. They then lost to Barcelona at Wembley and only managed a point away to PSV on game three.

Spurs finally picked up the pace in the second half of the group stage, beating PSV and Inter Milan at home back-to-back, before picking up a point away to Barcelona.

Pochettino’s men qualified second in the group by the skin of their teeth and went on to make the final, but the gaffer is hoping to be in a better position tomorrow night.

He wants to follow up on the Olympiacos away draw with a win over Bayern Munich at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

He said (Football London): “I think last season we would have all signed up for the same campaign in the Champions League. I hope to win tomorrow to be in a better position than last season. Last season we only had one point after three games, nobody believed in us, but we went on to reach the final of the Champions League. That is why in football it’s important how you start, but it’s more important how you finish. That is why in a long season you must remain calm and be strong in your mentality.

“You need to know that there will be periods when you are not as good as you expect. The most important is the belief and spirit. Of course, many things can affect that day by day at the club, or in the team, but it’s to have a clear idea of who you are and where you are. Where we want to arrive is the most important and stick with that, working hard.”

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