Pierre-Emile Højbjerg has issued a rallying cry for Tottenham’s players after insisting they cannot think about failure.
Tottenham will definitely qualify for the Champions League knock-out stages as long as they avoid defeat in their final Group match in Marseille. They had victory and qualification snatched away from them in the most dramatic circumstances last week when VAR ruled out Harry Kane’s 95th minute effort against Sporting Lisbon.
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte was sent off and will serve an automatic one-match touchline ban but Højbjerg insisted they are ready to complete the job.
Højbjerg said: “Our ambition is definitely to go through, this is number one. The ambition is to go to the knockout stages and this is what we are playing for 100 per cent.
“It does not help us today but last week was a rollercoaster of emotions. We have an opportunity tomorrow and we are very much looking forward to it.
“It is true that in one year the team has made great progress. We still have a way to go. We are going in the right direction and working really well. It is always up and down, there are always some moments better than others.
“We are working towards our ambition with great work and great focus. The players are showing they really care for this and that they are willing to do everything to be as successful as possible.”
Tottenham assistant boss Cristian Stellini will be on the touchline with Conte allowed in the stadium but not in the dressing room, touchline or the tunnel area. Conte is also banned from communicating directly from his players in a game which could make-or-break Tottenham’s season and also failure to qualify could cost them £20m-plus.
But Højbjerg laughed off a suggestion that Conte could emulate Jose Mourinho who famously hid in a laundry basket to beat a Champions League touchline ban when he was Chelsea manager.
Højbjerg added: “First of all of course your head coach is a massive part of a team. Luckily he has a very good staff and players that are well aware of what he expects from them.
“We will all try our best to fill the role. We will do our best to be together and get through this together, because we have to get through this together. We will do it. If he will hide in a laundry basket, I think no.”
Stellini added: "Antonio is indispensable but we have to prepare ourselves. It is difficult but we have to come through it."
