Tottenham’s Pochettino hails “massive” Champions League win over Dortmund

Tottenham Hotspur picked up a huge three points in the Champions League on Wednesday night, defeating Dortmund 3-1 at Wembley Stadium. Harry Kane had a brace for Spurs after Son Heung-Min opened the scoring just three minutes into the match.

Afterwards, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino was effusive with praise for his side’s performance in the post-match press conference.

“I think it was massive, massive to start in that way and win the three points today. I think it means more than three points. It's difficult to explain because many things happened around the team. I think it was so important to get the three points. Again a fantastic team like Borussia Dortmund, they played very well and have unbelievable players.

“I think it's massive for our confidence. Massive because it will help us against everyone. We need time to improve, time to learn and be better. We are only early in the season, but I think we are happy.

“It's true that the game was so tough and they dominated it. It was tough in the first half, we were very clinical. We had to increase our level and then the game was under control.”

It was, to be sure, an excellent time to play Dortmund as they were missing seven players to injury. Even so, the match was no sure thing. Andriy Yarmolenko leveled the score just minutes after Son’s opener with a long-range blast and Dortmund were a threat throughout. Dortmund also two goals waved off, one correctly and one incorrectly, leaving BVB chairman Michael Zorc a little cranky.

“The referee was not at the level of this match. No one knows why Aubameyang’s goal was not given. I would have liked to see how the game would have continued."

Dortmund fans are probably correct to be a little miffed about the final result, as match official Gianluca Rocchi and his staff made a number of questionable calls on both sides. Perhaps on balance a draw might have been a fair result, but football isn’t always fair. Dortmund will have the opportunity for revenge in the reverse fixture at Signal Iduna on November 21.

Tottenham are currently second in Group H, behind Real Madrid on goal differential. They next travel to APOEL Nicosia on September 26.