Former Barcelona and Brazil star Ronaldinho says that Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Manchester City is proof that they can upset the odds and go all the way in the Champions League this season.
The Lilywhites kept their Premier League rivals at bay in north London during the first leg, Heung-min Son netting the only goal after Hugo Lloris had saved a penalty.
With Mauricio Pochettino’s men not among the favourites to seal European glory this season, Ronaldinho has shot down the doubters by saying history is not everything and their recent displays prove they should be feared.
The Brazilian legend told the Daily Star: “Why can’t Spurs win the Champions League? Because they don’t have the history in the competition – or because they have never won it before?
“Every team who has won the Champions League had to win it for the first time once. Their result against Manchester City, who are one of the best teams and have some of the best players in the competition, showed that they can compete with the best.
“At this stage they will believe they can go all the way – and if they play as they can then maybe they will.”
Opinion
While Spurs’ performance against City was top drawer, it seems Ronaldinho has forgotten that they will have to play without Harry Kane until the end of the season. Yes, he might not have been the match winner in the first leg but his influence is second to none and there is no one that Pochettino or the Tottenham faithful would rather have leading the line in their quest for Champions League success. The truth of the matter is that they cannot play at their best without the England hitman and teams like Manchester City or Barcelona will take full advantage of that. Also, while the Brazilian legend might rubbish suggestions that history can have an impact, the lack of experience in that Tottenham squad when it comes to winning trophies cannot be understated. The favourites in the Champions League are squads full of perennial winners and Spurs are just not in the same ball park. Yes, everyone has to start somewhere, but it would be a huge achievement if that was with the European cup.