Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has no regrets starting Harry Kane ahead of Lucas Moura in the side’s Champions League final defeat to Liverpool.
Kane played the full 90 minutes on his return from two months off but was ineffectual as Jurgen Klopp’s men were crowned European champions for the sixth time as goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi gave them a 2-0 win over Spurs.
With not much going his way, Kane only had one shot in the game and was on the fringes for large parts, especially in the first half where he had just 15 touches of the ball – the least of any player on the pitch.
A few eyebrows were raised when the teams were revealed with semi-final hat-trick hero Moura only on the bench with Dele Alli – also out of sorts in the game – playing off the England skipper.
Pochettino said: “This wasn’t a drama, it was a decision. For me Harry Kane, after one month and a half, he finished the game fresh. He didn’t score but my decision I promise was very analytical, with all the information. I have no regrets.”
Pochettino’s future at the club once again was discussed in his post-match press conference but he was giving no clues about whether he’ll continue as Tottenham manager next season.
The Argentine has previously been linked with vacant managerial posts at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, who are currently looking for a new boss.
“We will have time to talk about the future,” Pochettino said.
“That can be tomorrow.
“I think it’s not a moment now to talk too much, because you can interpret things in a different way. People want to compare me to different managers, but we are in different positions and a different place. Our ambition is amazing – the club played in its first Champions League final.
“Now it is about being calm. I am sure we are going to have time to talk.”
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COMMENTS
Leaving Lucas moura in the bench was a very bad decision and they paid for it. U don’t drop a player that scored a hatrick on the bench because of ur love for Kane.
@Mykel. I couldn’t agree with you more. Although I am a Liverpool fan, i was expecting Lucas Moura to start so that at least out defence will be tested more than it was in the opening stages.
I know some may not agree with me for varying reasons but for me, Harry Kane was far off the pace yesterday; he should not have started the match.
Well, winning the trophy is a consolation having lost the Premier Trophy having only lost 1 match all season.
I asked fellow Liverpool fan which the would prefer and all unanimously said they will take the Premier League over the Champions League however we are still grateful to end the season on a high!
Re-written:
@Mykel. I couldn’t agree with you more. Although I am a Liverpool fan, I was expecting Lucas Moura to start so that at least our defence would have been tested more than it was in the opening stages.
I know some may not agree with me for varying reasons but for me, Harry Kane was far off the pace yesterday; he should not have started the match.
Well, winning the trophy is a consolation having lost the Premier League Trophy having only lost 1 match all season.
I asked fellow Liverpool fans which they would prefer and all unanimously said they will take the Premier League over the Champions League however we are still grateful to end the season on a high!
Valid points deo.
Don’t mind him, some of these overhyped privileged coaches are just clueless like Aigbogun.Benching Lucas Moura was a great mistake, the combination of Lucas and Son could ve given them a different result.
Harry was playing with injury.
He could not compete on aerial balls, he lost positiinings, he could not press..
Pochetino, made a very grave mistake starting Harry, I understood he wanted someone who can act like a threat but not at the expense of beching Lucas.
Congrats to all Liverpool fans.
Pochettino,great coach but without all d statistics he collated to chose Kane, I fault him strongly on that.
Similar to Klopp’s over-reliance on Salah. Some of us still say that Salah not playing in the second leg was a blessing in disguise.
You see how Klopp brot in Origi quickly bcos of his recent heroics.Moura came in and he just knows where the goal is. He should have started, maybe even playing off Llorente.
It was a risk worth taking.
CORRECTION.
Pochettino,great coach but with all d statistics he collated to choose Kane, I fault him strongly on this.
Similar to Klopp’s over-reliance on Salah. Some of us still say that Salah not playing in the second leg was a blessing in disguise.
You see how Klopp brot in Origi quickly bcos of his recent heroics.Moura came in and he just knows where the goal is. He should have started, maybe even playing off Llorente.
It was a risk worth taking.