LONDON • Kevin de Bruyne has rubbished suggestions that Tottenham's new 62,000-capacity ground could influence the outcome of the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City.
Speaking ahead of their visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium today, the Belgium midfielder insisted he "did not care about it" despite claims the new home, which will host its second game, could act as an extra incentive for Mauricio Pochettino's side.
He added: "I care about the team we play. Everybody talks about the stadium like it's something special.
"Everybody has a stadium. Everybody has supporters. They'll be up for it. They'll probably be a little bit more excited but, in the end, it's a stadium with supporters.
"If they go to Wembley with 80,000 or there with 62,000 (fans), it'll be the same. It'll be a tough game, but we'll be all right."
Like his manager Pep Guardiola, de Bruyne is not entertaining any talk of an unprecedented quadruple even though City remain on course for the feat, given their fixture congestion.
The 27-year-old said: "You know how heavy the schedule is? People underestimate how the fixtures come that quickly. We're just going to play (on) Tuesday and, hopefully, play a good game."
BRING IT ON
Everybody talks about the stadium like it's something special. Everybody has a stadium. Everybody has supporters. They'll be up for it. They'll probably be a little bit more excited but, in the end, it's a stadium with supporters. It'll be a tough game, but we'll be all right.
'KEVIN DE BRUYNE, Manchester City midfielder, on his team not intimidated by Tottenham's new home.
HOME COMFORTS
Maybe the City players don't realise because they've always played at home, but we've played away from home for almost two years.
SON HEUNG-MIN, Spurs forward, on how their new stadium will lift the players.
However, Spurs forward Son Heung-min has countered de Bruyne by insisting the atmosphere can be beneficial as "we've missed our home a lot".
The South Korea international said yesterday: "Maybe the City players don't realise because they've always played at home, but we've played away from home for almost two years."
Spurs captain Hugo Lloris, who will be the player most under the spotlight after a string of under-par displays, also feels the crowd will "make City's life harder".
The France goalkeeper said: "At some moments in the game, we (will) feel the power, this can be a help for the team."
City remained in London after their FA Cup semi-final win over Brighton instead of returning to Manchester to minimise disruption at this crucial period of the season.
Striker Sergio Aguero has shaken off a muscle injury and could return to action today after missing the last two matches.
Guardiola said yesterday that he expected Spurs to stick to their attacking instincts as they eye a first European win in their new home.
"We know what we are going to face, it's up to us how we handle it. If we don't, that's because we are not prepared to go through," the Spaniard said.
"I will give my message to the players, always playing against Spurs away they will always play in that way I can't expect differently.
"How we handle that if they do it we must try to do it more. Maybe they will play high press and aggressive, we will prepare for that."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE GUARDIAN
TOTTENHAM V MAN CITY
Singtel TV Ch110 & StarHub Ch214, tomorrow, 2.55am
Football: Watford squeeze past QPR into FA Cup last eight في February 15, 2019 sport, BERLIN (REUTERS) - Premier League's Watford were made to sweat to beat humble Championship club Queens Park Rangers 1-0 on Friday (Feb 15) and book their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second time in four seasons.
Watford squeeze past QPR into FA Cup last eight
Singapore Premier League clubs could sign three imports from next season after the increase in foreign player quota was raised at the Football Association of Singapore's 36th Annual Congress . Albirex Niigata can sign up unlimited number of Singaporean players for the new season. Only 1 local player above 23 years old is allowed.
SEA Games flop is just one sign that Singapore football is
SINGAPORE - Ikhsan Fandi's rich vein of scoring form continues as the Singapore striker found the net in his third consecutive match for second-tier Norwegian club Raufoss IL in just 11 days..
Ikhsan Fandi scores first competitive goal for Norwegian club
Chelsea players proved their backing for Maurizio Sarri in Carabao Cup final, insists David Luiz. Sarri's position has been under threat after a poor spell that culminated in the 6-0 at City
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has been crowned PFA Player of the Year for 2018-19, with Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling winning the Young Player of the Year award.
Virgil van Dijk and Vivianne Miedema named PFA players of the
Champions League: Lionel Messi torments Liverpool with 600th Barca goal in 3-0 win The Argentine's milestone goal was a moment of brilliance as he curled a dazzling free kick into the top corner from distance to add gloss to a scoreline that did not reflect the balance of play.
Messi torments Liverpool with 600th Barca goal in 3-0 win
Burnley boosted their Premier League survival hopes with a hard-fought 2-0 win over a lacklustre Wolves at Turf Moor on Saturday. The hosts made a dream start in the Lancashire sunshine by opening
Burnley boost survival hopes with 2-0 win over Wolves - Reuters
Football: Hugo Lloris warns Spurs teammates against complacency in Premier League title race London - Complacency is the biggest threat to Tottenham Hotspur's hopes of toppling Premier League leaders Liverpool, warned Spurs captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris on Friday (Jan 11), two days before they host rejuvenated Manchester United at Wembley.
Hugo Lloris warns Tottenham Hotspur against complacency
LONDON (REUTERS) - Ryan Babel struck a potentially deadly blow to Cardiff City's Premier League survival chances with a stunning 25-yard strike that secured Fulham a deserved 1-0 win at Craven
Ryan Babel's late winner for Fulham leaves Cardiff on brink
SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, France: Thomas Tuchel on Monday (Apr 29) blasted Neymar for hitting a fan who insulted Paris Saint-Germain players as they filed up to collect their French Cup losers' medals.
PSG coach Tuchel hits out at Neymar after fan attack
The history of GCC summits held in Saudi Arabia. China to Asian Cup quarter-finals after fightback win over Thailand Son Heung-min was just the player South Korea needed to really get its
Bahrain hold UAE in Asian Cup opener - ARAB TIMES
0 comments:
Post a Comment