Tottenham Hotspur reached the final of the Champions League last year, while this term, Jose Mourinho and his Spurs charges will be contesting the last 16.
Tottenham Hotspur cult hero Dimitar Berbatov has had his say on Spurs’ Champions League hopes, claiming they should not be written off given the quality in their squad and Jose Mourinho in charge.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium side will be back in top-tier European action as the 2020s get under way after sealing a place in the Champions League knockout phase for the third successive year with a second-placed finish in Group B.
Although Spurs failed to win their first two Champions League games this term, three wins in a row – two against Red Star Belgrade and a superb turnaround against Olympiacos – helped the North Londoners seal a place in the last 16 with a game to spare.
Berbatov began by ruling out Manchester City as potential trophy winners – “other teams are playing better football” – but fancied Liverpool to do well – “[they] know how to pace themselves for the knockout rounds” – before moving onto Tottenham.
“Barcelona and Juventus are also strong contenders and you shouldn’t write off Spurs,” the Bulgarian is quoted by The Sun as saying. “They have no reason to be fearful about who they get in Monday’s knockout stage draw.
“In Jose Mourinho, Spurs have a coach who’s won trophies throughout his career, including the Champions League with Porto and Inter – two teams that few people would have fancied. So it doesn’t matter who Spurs face. They have great quality and after reaching the final last year, should feel confident.”
Mourinho’s Tottenham are back in Premier League action tomorrow with a trip to Wolves, before finding out who they’re set to face in the last 16 on Monday morning from 11am GMT onwards, the draw taking place in Nyon.
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