We are still alive despite lone-goal home loss to Ajax - Pochettino

Tottenham Hotspur Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino - Getty

Tottenham Hotspur are still "alive" in their Champions League semi-final despite losing 1-0 at home to Ajax in the first leg, says manager Mauricio Pochettino.


Donny van de Beek's goal gave the Dutch side victory over a lacklustre Spurs in north London on Tuesday.

"It's going to be difficult, but it's still open," said Pochettino.

"It's about preparing for the second leg. We will try to win. It will be tough for us, but also tough for them."

History is against Spurs as only one of the 17 previous teams to lose a home first leg of a European Cup or Champions League semi-final has progressed into the final.

"I think the attitude was there, but we didn't find a way to play," said Pochettino.

"We didn't show the energy we wanted to show and the way that we conceded the goal was painful.

"The second half was much better, we forced them to play deeper. The second half gave us hope for the second leg."

"But there were not too many options. I am not happy."

"My players are heroes to be in the situation that we are in," he said.

"We need to give them full credit."