Pochettino admits to making tactical error after defeat to Ajax

Mauricio Pochettino has admitted he made a tactical error in Tottenham’s Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat to Ajax.

His team will have it all to do in Amsterdam next week if they are to keep their Champions League dream alive as Ajax claimed a 1-0 win in the semi-final first leg, but they remain alive in the tie.

The hosts had hardly had a kick by the time they were sliced open by a brilliant passing move in the 15th minute.

It involved Lasse Schone and Hakim Ziyech, who slipped in Donny Van De Beek and he had an age to pick his spot low past Hugo Lloris.

The goal survived a VAR check for offside and it was almost two eight minutes later but another picturebook move, which saw Dusan Tadic play Van De Beek in, was thwarted by the legs of Lloris.

Pochettino had said before the game that he was “living the dream” by taking Spurs to this stage of the tournament, but his selection problems were definitely nightmare territory.

This was just their second ever European Cup semi-final, and 57 years since their last one, but they are not out of it as they showed that this excellent Ajax side can be got at, even if they did not force goalkeeper Andre Onana into a meaningful save.

“I think in the first half, we were not in a good way. It was difficult for us to play, our lack of energy at the start and it made difficult our game,” said Pochettino, speaking BT Sport.

“After we concede the goal, after 25-30 minutes, we start to be in the game. The issue for Vertonghen gave the team some motivation to play and we wanted to play from the beginning. In the second half, we tried to create some chances and tried to push.

“We are still alive, we’re 1-0 down and we must believe we can go there and win the game.”

Spurs’ evening took another turn for the worse after Vertonghen suffered a head injury which left him bloodied and dazed and he could barely walk down the tunnel after a brave attempt to play on was short-lived.

Questions will be asked of Spurs’ medical team after they allowed Jan Vertonghen to return to the field after a nasty head injury. His manager could give no update after the game, but confirmed he will be assessed over the coming days.

The Belgium defender was given the all-clear by the doctors but was barely able to walk moments later and was escorted off.

That injury forced the early introduction of Sissoko and that gave Spurs an extra dimension as they showed Ajax could be got at with a direct approach.

Asked if it was a mistake to sacrifice a man in midfield for a three-man backline, Pochettino responded: “Watching now of course I can accept it was a mistake the shape we used. But there were not too many options. I am not happy – you cannot guess what happens if we play in a different way. But our lack of energy and we were a little sloppy.

“It was not the shape that conceded the goal. Our approach to the game was not good. I am the manager so I have responsibility.”