Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham's season-defining run shows 'maturity' after remarkable Juventus escape

Jack Rosser @JackRosser_14 February 2018

Mauricio Pochettino says the run his Tottenham side have enjoyed in recent weeks shows they’ve reached a new level of maturity.

Tottenham had beaten Manchester United and Arsenal, while drawing at Liverpool, in the Premier League with an FA Cup win over Newport sandwiched in between before travelling to face Juventus in the Champions League.

In Turin it looked as if that season-defining run had reached its end having gone two goals down after a Gonzalo Higuain brace inside ten minutes.

However, goals from Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen either side of half time mean Spurs take an away goals advantage back to Wembley for the second leg in three weeks’ time.

“Fantastic game. We were sloppy and conceded two goals in nine minutes, but the character we showed was fantastic,” Pochettino told BT Sport.

“I want to congratulate the players, 2-0 down in Turin to a team so difficult to break down. We deserved a victory more than a draw.

“We are more mature now. In the last few weeks, the team are growing and have stepped up. It’s a good example of the capacity we have.

“The team was amazing in how they reacted.

“You need some luck always in football. The tie is open, Juventus are a massive team. We have the hope we can win in Wembley.”

In Pictures | Champions League round of 16, first legs | 2017/18

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