Tottenham Pre-match Press Conference: Pochettino Previews Leicester

A 1-0 loss last year at White Hart Lane saw Tottenham’s title hopes dashed as Leicester City eventually won the Premier League. Tomorrow, Spurs will look to exact revenge this time around.

After getting through the opening questions in his pre-match press conference, regarding Harry Kane and Toby Alderweireld’s availability for tomorrow, Mauricio Pochettino was asked about his thoughts on Leicester City now, compared to their title-winning season a year ago.

For Pochettino, a new season is completely different. There are some things you’ll learn from a game that happened last term that you can take with you, but for the most part teams start anew.

“In football, there are many topics but be sure it will be a different game, it’s a different season and a different situation for both teams.” Mauricio Pochettino said (via Spurs’ official website).

“It’s difficult to learn from a game in a different period. The most important thing is that we need to learn about our experience to try to be better in every competition and in every game we play. I cannot tell you what we’re learning about a game a few months ago.”

Based on Mauricio Pochettino’s comments, tomorrow’s game won’t be easy as usual.

Despite Leicester’s current position of 12th in the league table with 11 points, it’s hard to figure out which team is the real Leicester City. The one who is currently sitting in the middle of the Premier League? Or the one who is first in their Champions League group stage?

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It would seem like the Foxes won’t be able to defend their title based on their league form but Pochettino doesn’t see it that way.

Even though Claudio Ranieri’s side is a mid-table club this term, they’re still dangerous. There’s an uneasiness because it’s difficult to tell what could happen.

“No, it’s not unrealistic,” Pochettino said in response to whether or not Leicester have no chance to challenge for the league title this year.

“They have signed good players and as a team it’s normal that it’s difficult to keep the level they showed last season. Today they are involved in one competition more, the Champions League and that is difficult because you spend a lot of energy in that competition and to share with the Premier League is very tough.”

“It’s their first experience of the Champions League and it demands different things. They are still a very good team and it will be a tough game on Saturday.”

If there was ever a time to beat Leicester after drawing at the King Power Stadium before losing at White Hart Lane last year, Saturday would be the best opportunity to strike. The Foxes’ form has fluctuated throughout the year and tomorrow could be a big turning point for both sides.

According to Mauricio Pochettino, Leicester still play in a similar style from last term so that should bode well for Spurs if they’ve learned anything from their previous match-ups.

“They keep a similar style. They play 1-4-4-2 and they can change some things if they play with different names but they keep the same structure and principle of the team.” Pochettino added.

“It’s a team that likes to play on the counterattack, they are strong, they play deep with good organisation. It’s always a tough team to play.”

Next: Tottenham: Harry Kane and Toby Alderweireld are Still Out

Standing in Spurs’ way of trying to secure first place, even for a short while, is Leicester City. They were difficult to stop last year as they continued to push a five-point gap to eight points and more.

This time around, coincidentally, both teams are separated by eight points once again, but are on different ends of the top seven. With Tottenham sitting in fifth and Leicester at 12th place.

Spurs are winlesss in their previous four fixtures whereas the Foxes picked up two wins, one draw and one loss. Saturday’s match will be big and could very well affect both clubs in the future.