Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino does not feel that playing in Spurs’ new stadium during the Champions League knockout stages will give his team any sort of an edge over their opponents.
Spurs booked their place in the Champions League Round of 16 after coming from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Barcelona and with a little help from PSV Eindhoven, who prevented Inter from securing maximum points on Tuesday.
Pochettino’s men finished behind Barcelona in Group B and are now in the mix to face any of Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich or FC Porto in the next round.
However, the European competition does not resume until February and Tottenham’s knockout stage tie could coincide with the opening of their new stadium.
Pochettino admits that he would ideally want to play in the new stadium by January, but claims that it will not give them any edge over their opponents in the Champions League.
“I don't think it is going to help us with our performance in the way that we want [where we play]”, Pochettino told reporters in a press conference.
“If we are capable of performing in the best way, of course it is going to help us – Wembley or our new stadium.
“I don’t believe it is going to be decisive to play in one or another stadium.
"The most important is our performance on the pitch.
“Of course, for the motivation, for our fans, of course for our players, our staff, it would be fantastic, a massive boost for us to play in our new stadium.
“But I think the motivation will be there too if we play Wembley, the same.”
Tottenham will next face relegation battlers Burnley when they return to action in the Premier League at Wembley on Saturday.
