Mauricio Pochettino has called on his Tottenham Hotspur players to play with freedom when they take on Liverpool in Saturday's UEFA Champions League final.
In only the second-ever all-English final in the competition, Pochettino said that for his players to "write history" they must forget the occasion in Madrid.
"It’s a unique event and we are so excited but also trying to be calm because on Saturday, nine o’clock [local time], we need all our energy," the manager told Spurs' official website.
He added that to perform to their best, the players should return to the game of their childhoods.
"They need to play with freedom, like how you play when you’re a child, seven or eight," Pochettino said. "The key is not to think about all those watching you but to all work together."
We caught up with all of the coaches in Madrid for an exclusive chat to discuss their journey together, UCL memories and final preparations! 🙌 😎 #UCLfinal ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/ZAfN8eydJt
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) June 1, 2019
After two hard-fought 2-1 victories over Spurs in the Premier League this season, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is expecting another test.
"There are two proper football teams in the final, who have built step-by-step," he told Liverpool's official website.
"What Pochettino has done at Tottenham is very impressive, I like it.
"The game will be pretty intense, but we’re really looking forward to it. It’ll be a proper game."
#UCLfinal scoring runs, our #UCL record and a strong stat about the skipper. 💪🔴
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 1, 2019
👊 All the facts and figures ahead of a massive night in Madrid: https://t.co/O4fDYYmjpX pic.twitter.com/Svo6K1T33t
