Mauricio Pochettino: 'It will be a difficult tie'

Mauricio Pochettino

"It will be a difficult tie because they're a team with a super coach and super players. We'll be facing Real Madrid, who are a team used to winning the Champions League, a team with history and plenty of experience. It's clear that we face a very tough tie. It starts in February, so current form will count for little. The important thing will be to be in our best possible condition come February, and to evaluate every player individually. There's always an element of luck when it comes to a team's form. For example, injuries can affect the team. This will be a knockout tie played on predetermined dates when several factors can influence the outcome.

Of course, we have to be confident. We have a great team and great footballers with lots of talent. I have no doubt that we'll approach the tie in the best possible way and still with lots of confidence in our players. We have enough quality to win this tie and get through to the next round. That's Paris Saint-Germain's objective."