‘I asked him on the corner and he said 1-1’: Hugo Lloris reveals how Fernando Llorente updated him on the Inter score as Tottenham’s Champions League hopes hung in the balance
- Hugo Lloris reveals how Fernando Llorente updated him on Inter Milan’s score
- Tottenham were chasing an equaliser against Barcelona at the Nou Camp
- Spurs needed to match the Italian side’s score to progress into knockout stages
- PSV held Inter to a 1-1 draw at the San Siro which Llorente told Lloris at a corner
- Spurs booked their place in the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday night
Tottenham pulled off one of the greatest escapes to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League as they drew 1-1 with Barcelona at the Nou Camp… but not without the help of PSV.
The Premier League outfit needed to match Inter Milan’s result to book their place in round of 16 and thanks to the Eredivisie side, they did just that.
But as Spurs chased for the equaliser in Spain, captain Hugo Lloris revealed he received an update on the score from the other game in Group B from substitute Fernando Llorente at a corner kick.
Hugo Lloris (L) reveals how Fernando Llorente updated him on PSV’s score with Inter Milan
The Tottenham players celebrate after finding out that Inter Milan only drew with PSV in Italy
The Inter players cut dejected figures after failing to beat PSV at home on Tuesday evening
When asked if he had any idea of the result out in Milan, Lloris told BT Sport: ‘Only when Fernando [Llorente] came on. I asked him on the corner and he said to me “1-1”. But we had to play for the three points and the win and try to not concede a goal.’
At the final whistle, the World Cup winning captain knew Spurs had pulled off mission impossible thanks to the noise made by the away fans on Tuesday evening.
He continued: ‘I understood we go through when I heard the Spurs fans [in the Nou Camp]. They made such a noise! It was fantastic.’
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino revealed Jesus Perez kept him up to date with the score
Pochettino’s assistant coach Perez (right) updated the coaching staff on the PSV game
Pochettino applauds the away supporters after Spurs sealed their place in the round of 16
While the Tottenham players waited on the pitch for the confirmation in the Inter game, manager Mauricio Pochettino almost jumped the gun with his celebration by walking back to the dressing room before his assistant coach, Jesus Perez, intervened.
Pochettino admitted after the game: ‘Before we finished the game, our fans reacted to the draw in Inter and Jesus was next to me and he said “Yes!”.
‘But when we went to the tunnel, Jesus told me, “No, it isn’t finished” and the final two minutes were very difficult. But I am very happy as it is a massive achievement for the club.’
Spurs join Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United in the next round of the Champions League after finishing second in their group behind Barcelona.
