In a highly anticipated matchup in Week 11 of the 2023-2024 Premier League, Chelsea’s coach, Mauricio Pochettino, will face his former club, Tottenham Hotspur. The match is set to be a challenging one, but Pochettino maintains a professional outlook, hoping that his current team, the Blues, will secure a victory against the Lilywhites.
Tottenham, currently under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou, has been facing difficulties, and the upcoming showdown is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Pochettino’s approach is grounded in a natural and uncomplicated mindset. He believes that there is no need to show anything extraordinary and that being authentic is of paramount importance. In the build-up to the match, he stated, “I don’t believe we need to show anything special. We have to appear natural; that’s the most important thing.”
The experienced coach is well aware of the passionate fans of both Chelsea and Tottenham and acknowledges the history between the two clubs. He recalled the iconic “Battle of the Bridge” match and the Champions League history between the teams, recognizing that the emotions run deep. Pochettino emphasized, “Smart people. Chelsea fans know I’m Tottenham; they know about the Champions League; they know about the Battle of the Bridge. It is impossible to hide these emotions. Now I can’t say I forgot all about it. That’s stupid.”
However, Pochettino remains committed to maintaining professionalism and a competitive spirit in the match, despite the significant contrast in the Premier League standings this season, with Tottenham in second place and Chelsea in 13th place. Chelsea recently suffered a setback with a 0-2 loss to Brentford in their previous Premier League encounter, adding more pressure to Pochettino’s quest to break their negative trend when visiting Tottenham.
He stressed his desire to enjoy the match and expressed his competitive spirit, saying, “I will act naturally. I hope to enjoy a great match; I want to win; that’s our competitive side, and at the same time, I want to enjoy being in a place where I am part of the process of building something special.” Pochettino’s calm and composed demeanor reflects his readiness for the challenge and his aspiration for a memorable evening on the pitch.
