‘The emotion was amazing – I was alive again’: Mauricio Pochettino relives dramatic moment when VAR ruled out Raheem Sterling’s late ‘winner’ to send Tottenham through to semi-finals
- Tottenham dramatically knocked Manchester City out of the Champions League
- Raheem Sterling had winning goal ruled out by VAR for offside in dying stages
- Mauricio Pochettino threw his jacket in frustration before VAR checked the goal
- After it had been ruled out, Pochettino admits that he felt like he was ‘alive again’
- Spurs will go on to face Ajax over two legs in the Champions League semi-finals
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino admits he felt like he was brought back to life by VAR after the video assistance ruled out a Raheem Sterling goal for Manchester City and ensured his side entered the Champions League semi-final.
Manchester City won an extraordinary match 4-3 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night but the aggregate scoreline of 4-4 saw Tottenham reach the semi-finals.
Yet the progress of Pochettino’s side was put in jeopardy when Sterling appeared to have scored an injury-time winner, only for VAR to disallow the goal for offside. Amid the desolation, Pochettino threw off his jacket and feared the worst.
Mauricio Pochettino admits he felt like he was brought back to life by VAR at the Etihad
Raheem Sterling scored what looked like the winning goal in injury time for Manchester City
The goal was ruled out by VAR after Sergio Aguero was deemed to be offside in the build up
The Argentine said: ‘You know I didn’t want to watch again because in the moment they scored, I took off my jacket, threw my jumper, I started to think very bad things.
‘Then I hear my assistant Jesus (Perez)’s voice say “Oh, maybe offside and VAR is checking.” Then I was alive again. I understand the situation in bench of city.
‘City were on top of the world and then to the disappointment. It’s unbelievable. The emotion was amazing. You feel sorry for them when that situation happened. Maybe another night… but what can you do? Enjoy, be respectful.’
Tottenham arrived back into their training ground lodge in the early hours of Thursday morning and slept at the complex ahead of a recovery session this season.
Pochettino says his players are in a dreamlike state but insisted his side will be ready for Saturday’s crucial Premier League clash against City.
Pochettino threw his jacket off in desolation before realising the goal would be checked
After it had been ruled out, Pochettino admitted that he felt like he was ‘alive again’
‘It means a lot,’ Pochettino smiled. ‘Still we didn’t realise. We are like in a dream, in a bubble. We can feel the happiness of our fans, also through the messages of family and friends.
‘But we are so busy preparing but we do not allow ourselves to live the reality. Our job is to be focused and concentrated and use all the tools to be ready for Saturday.’
Pochettino did, however, play down suggestions Tottenham should be considered favourites to reach the final after being pitted against a young Ajax side in the final four.
‘We need to be for sure humble. Beating City, nobody expected that. It can give massive belief but in same way, if you are not clever enough, victory can make you weaker.
Pochettino insists that he felt sorry for Pep Guardiola and his side following the decision
Spurs will go on to face Ajax over two legs in the Champions League semi-finals
‘We must respect Ajax. They are more favourites of us after beating Juventus and Real Madrid. If not favourites, then the same level. We are positive.’
Pochettino also pleaded with the Premier League to ensure that Tottenham are granted the same amount of days in preparation for the fixture as their Dutch rivals.
He added: ‘We are talking but I don’t expect too much. The dates are tight and difficult. It’s the same for Ajax too.
‘I think for a semi-final, both teams need to have same possibility to prepare the days. If we want to be fair. Both teams deserve to have same preparation.’