- Spurs won last week in their first match at their new home, beating Crystal Palace 2-0
- City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne claims Tottenham鈥檚 new ground will not be a significant factor
LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur are hoping for a lift from their new stadium as they prepare for the daunting task of playing quadruple-chasing Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Spurs won last week in their first match at their new home, beating Crystal Palace 2-0 to move back into third in the Premier League after a disappointing run of results.
City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne claims Tottenham鈥檚 new ground will not be a significant factor in the first leg of the tie but South Korean forward Son Heung-min said the atmosphere could help his team, who had been based at Wembley since the start of the 2017/18 season.
鈥淥f course,鈥� he told reporters at the pre-match press conference. 鈥淲e take these plus points for us because maybe the City players don鈥檛 realize, they always play at home. We鈥檝e been nearly two years away from our home stadium.
鈥淲hat we鈥檝e done in the last two years was very positive and I think we missed home a lot and maybe we can show them tomorrow night what is the difference between Wembley and our new stadium.鈥�
Son, who scored the first league goal in the new stadium, said the opening match there was a special occasion.
鈥淚t was just massive, I couldn鈥檛 believe it. I had an unbelievable night. I scored, we won, three points, clean sheet, everything,鈥� he said.
鈥淚t was very positive. I think it鈥檚 also very important to take this positive energy for tomorrow. When you think positive, positive things happen.鈥�
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino said the game against the defending Premier League champions, who are aiming for a clean sweep of trophies, would be one of the most important of his coaching career but vowed to attack.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 going to be a very tough game,鈥� he said. 鈥淢anchester City is one of the best teams in Europe, not only in England. Tomorrow we want to start the game very aggressive, trying to dominate.鈥�
And he said the stadium could be a factor that works in his side鈥檚 favor.
鈥淥f course we hope and wish that... (it) is going to be amazing and going to be tough for our opponent and can help us to perform in the way we want,鈥� he added.