Tottenham will be without Harry Kane and Mousa Dembele through injury for the conclusion of their Europa League last-32 tie against Fiorentina.
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The defeat to Palace ended Tottenham’s eight-match unbeaten run, which included seven consecutive victories, and Pochettino admits his side face a crucial juncture in maintaining their momentum.
The focus though now shifts to the Premier League and the Argentine insists that his side will be happy to resume their good work, trying to establish themselves as strong contenders for this season’s Premier League title.
“It’s true that maybe for the supporters the Premier League is more important but we need to show we respect both competitions”, said Pochettino.
However, Pochettino’s side have won all three home games in the Europa League this season, beating FK Qarabag of Azerbaijan, Anderlecht and Monaco.
Spurs sit in second place in the Premier League table and with Harry Kane’s goals, the tightest defence in the league and rising English star Dele Alli, they are sure to pose a threat.
“I find it hard to imagine a manager going into a game thinking they don’t want to win or not being interested in winning a competition”.
Spurs again faced Swansea after Europa League action, twice coming from behind courtesy of free-kicks from Christian Eriksen to draw 2-2 at the Liberty just a few days after drawing with Monaco in Monte Carlo.
New signings Yohan Benalouane (back) and Tino Costa (muscular injury) won’t feature, but managed Paulo Sousa will otherwise have a full squad to choose from.
“I think there’s goals everywhere, it’s just a question of taking their chances when they get them and they’ve done that today”.
He added: “The boys gave their all against an important team, who I feel at this time to be among the best five in Europe in terms of intensity, technique and tactics”.
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Jurgen Klopp’s men defeated Augsburg 1-0 on aggregate while United overturned a first-leg deficit to beat FC Midtjylland 6-3 on aggregate. The tie stands at 1-1 after last week’s match in Italy.
