Tottenham are ‘ready to suffer’ – Lloris

Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris says his side are “ready to suffer” in order to see off Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Spurs head to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday with a 1-0 first-leg lead, thanks to Son Heung-min’s later winner, but City are still favourites to progress to the last four as their quadruple quest faces a pivotal moment.

But by keeping clean sheet in their home leg, if Spurs can find the net in Manchester, it would need City needing three goals to progress.

Spurs will undoubtedly come under huge pressure against Pep Guardiola’s men, but the France goalkeeper, who saved Sergio Aguero’s penalty last week, is prepared for it.

“It is all about the mentality, the spirit, to have the same idea of football together,” Lloris said.

“Then of course we are ready to suffer because tomorrow we are going to suffer, but we know we can make the game difficult for them too.

“It is just about enjoying being at this stage of the competition, being ready to compete. Momentum is very important.”

Boss Mauricio Pochettino says Manchester City are still favourites to win the Champions League, despite his side’s first-leg advantage.

“Manchester City for me is one of the best teams in the world and a clear favourite to win the Premier League and the Champions League,” he said.

“For us to beat them in the first leg was an amazing result but we know very well the tie is still open and tomorrow is going to be very, very tough.

“But we have the belief that we are going to fight. Tomorrow is going to be an amazing challenge and fight. I am so motivated and excited.”

If Spurs can get the job done on Wednesday they would be qualify for the semi-final of the Champions League for the first time in their history.

That would be an impressive run given they had just one point at the midway point of the group stage and Pochettino is proud of his side’s effort in this competition.

“The reality is the reality,” he said. “We are going to be 11 against 11 on the pitch and of course to forget everything and to try and win everything and fight.

“I am a person that never makes excuses after and never before. You describe a reality and the reality is there but tomorrow we are going to be on the pitch and try and win the game.

Manchester City Training and Press Conference – City Football Academy

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will welcome Spurs to the Etihad Stadium (Martin Rickett/PA)

“We are going to be more than proud of our run in the Champions League and try and arrive in the semi-final and challenge a team like Man City.

“Whatever happens tomorrow happens, we are going to be proud of our run in the Champions League. But that doesn’t mean we are not going to fight.”

Spurs have mixed injury news as, in addition to Harry Kane’s absence with an ankle injury, Harry Winks is also not fit having picked up a groin injury in training last week.

Dele Alli, who suffered a broken hand in last week’s first leg, has travelled with the squad and will train with a cast on.

Pochettino added: “We need to assess him. We are going to have the last training session and then decide if it is possible to starts from the beginning or on the bench. We are going to assess him.”

Erik Lamela has also travelled after a hamstring injury, but Eric Dier (hip) and Serge Aurier (hamstring) miss out.

FourFourTwo Staff

FourFourTwo was launched in 1994 on the back of a World Cup that England hadn’t even qualified for. It was an act of madness… but it somehow worked out. Our mission is to offer our intelligent, international audience access to the game’s biggest names, insightful analysis... and a bit of a giggle. We unashamedly love this game and we hope that our coverage reflects that.

Latest in
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report
Latest in News
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report