Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has called for 'help' from the Premier League after suggesting the league's scheduling puts English clubs at a 'massive disadvantage' in Europe.
Spurs have travelled to Germany for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Borussia Dortmund in a commanding position, having won the first-leg 3-0 at Wembley in mid-February.
Despite the advantage on aggregate to progress to the quarter finals for only the second time in the club's history, Pochettino has questioned the decision for Spurs to play their most recent game, a 1-1 draw against Arsenal, on Saturday, whereas Dortmund played their game against Augsburg, a 2-1 defeat, on the Friday, giving them an extra day to prepare.
"You play Saturday and travel today, so there is no time," said Pochettino in his pre-match press conference, as quoted by The Telegraph.
We're back! Four teams will reach the quarter-finals this week...
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 4, 2019
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"I don’t know whether to blame the Football Association or the Premier League or Tottenham because we do not have the stadium ready, or if it’s the TV who want us to play live.
Final preparations.#COYS ⚪️ #UCL pic.twitter.com/QHRYqv476U
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) March 4, 2019
"We need to change to help English clubs be stronger in the European competition. We need to be more sensitive to the clubs who play in Europe. It was difficult before, it is difficult now and it’s going to be more difficult in the future."
Source : 90min