The tiny travelling pod of Monaco fans numbering no more than 350 celebrated but it was the vast home majority who found their voices again just before halftime when Lamela’s corner was headed powerfully home by Belgian Alderweireld.
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But the north Londoners slumped to a lacklustre loss as goals from Bernardo Silva and Thomas Lemar handed the points to the French league leaders in the Group E opener.
“It’s only the first game but we need to improve and fast”.
‘We showed a lack of passion a little bit today because we can not conceded these goals.
“When you concede like this it is very hard”.
“We believe in the way we play and it’s a good chance to play on a big pitch”.
The Spurs boss, who had never lost a European game at home with Tottenham before Wednesday, described his side as having a “lack of passion”.
“When I was at MK Dons I played all the games in centre midfield so it’s not like it’s new to me”, added Alli.
“It is not new. We need to pick ourselves up and win the next game”.
“You have more space to play, it’s more hard for the opponent to press you when there are more metres to run”, added Pochettino, who has never managed in the Champions League.
“Silva played a very good match”. It was a fantastic opportunity (to play in the Champions League). We use different pitches on different days during the week.
“It was impossible to have more training sessions at Wembley, but I’m happy”, Pochettino told a news conference.
Moutinho has lined up against Spurs since then, when the London club was drawn in the same group as Monaco in the Europa League last season. The “hosts”, playing away from their normal stadium, failed to capitalise on their momentum in the second half. I think I must have handled Diego Costa okay.
Wembley’s slightly bigger pitch can benefit Tottenham according to manager Mauricio Pochettino during his press conference ahead of their Champions League return tomorrow night.
“It’s a pleasure to come here every day and I enjoy seeing everyone, it’s like playing football with your mates”.
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“We will have a look at (Dirar) tonight (to assess the level of injury)”.
