Mauricio Pochettino not expecting weakened Barcelona XI as Tottenham fight for Champions League future

Last chance: Tottenham must match or better Inter's result in gameweek 6
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Jack Rosser @JackRosser_28 November 2018

Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham must prepare for Barcelona as if they are going to name the best side possible despite having won the group.

Tottenham kept their Champions League hopes alive with a late 1-0 win over Inter Milan at Wembley, and must now match or better the Italian side’s result in the final game of the group stage, with Luciano Spalletti’s side hosting PSV at San Siro.

Having already sealed their place in the knockout stages, and won the group resulting in a favourable draw, Barcelona could well rest key figures against Spurs, who were powerless to stop Lionel Messi in the home fixture, but Pochettino says there will be no gifts from the Spaniards.

“I expect they'll play with the best players but today I don't know how they'll prepare the game," he told reporters. "We need to think about us, prepare for the game in the best way, and try to believe we can win.

“What Barcelona do is not in our hands. But of course in the Champions League, no one is going to give a present and playing and not care about the result.

"It's going to be very competitive but of course they're qualified in first with 13 points. Us and Inter can only arrive with 10 points. All is possible in football.

“We have big respect for Barcelona, one of the best teams in Europe. Of course, they have unbelievable players and it'll be so tough. But one thing we have is our belief and faith we can win.

"We only need to show again a good level to compete at our best. To arrive at Barcelona and compete in our best we need to have fresh legs, fresh minds, no injuries.”

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