Champions League Final: Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has no regrets over starting Harry Kane v Liverpool

Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I

Mauricio Pochettino said Tottenham should be proud after the 'painful' Champions League Final defeat to Liverpool, and insisted he had no regrets about starting Harry Kane.

Spurs defied the odds to reach a first-ever European Cup final but Mohamed Salah's first-minute penalty and a late strike from Divock Origi consigned them to defeat in Madrid.

"The season was fantastic," the Spurs manager said afterwards. "We need to feel proud. I feel so proud of all the players, the fans and the club. We couldn't give, in the last moment, the last game of the season, a massive reward for our fans.

"Today, before 30 seconds a penalty changed our plans completely. It had a massive impact for the team which we had to manage but the team was great. Of course it was difficult.

"But overall I thought we dominated. We created chances but they were more aggressive and clinical in front of goal. We created chances, but we didn't score.

"When that happens, it's so painful but at the same time we need to be calm in the way that we talk and analyse the things, because the season was fantastic and we need to feel proud.

In Pictures | Tottenham vs Liverpool Champions League Final | 1/6/2019

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"To finish in the top four and play in the Champions League Final for the first time in the history of the club. It's a thing that is going to be painful because we lost the final but in the same time we need to be positive – the fans and the club.

"I want to congratulate Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, all the players, the club and the fans because they had an amazing season and finished by winning the Champions League. They were fantastic. Of course it's so painful but we need to keep going. We need to be clever now.

"Always after a painful situation like today it's about building the success and to build the next period in your life. Of course it's going to be tough but in the same way now after a couple of hours we need to change our mind and be positive.

"We’ve been playing against a team that three or four years ago was designed to reach finals, not necessarily to win them, but to get to them. We are a team that has priorities that is shared with the [new] stadium. It would have been incredible to win today and lift the trophy.

"It would have been something that would have surprised people because in the last five years Tottenham prioritised their stadium and spent zero on transfers. "We’re not the smartest in the class but not the stupidest either. But it is incredible and this club deserves a lot of credit. The fanbase deserves a lot of credit. Hopefully it will be the beginning of a very success period for the club."

Pochettino opted to start with Kane ahead of semi-final hero Lucas Moura, despite the England striker having not played since April 9 due to an ankle problem.

In common with almost every player on the pitch, Kane looked rusty and not at his sharpest but he completed 90 minutes, and Pochettino said he had no regrets about his call.

"The problem is you create a history or a drama but it's not about playing with Harry Kane or Lucas Moura," he said. "That is the thing that was important or not important. It's a decision and of course for me Harry Kane after one month and a half finished the game fresh.

REUTERS

"He didn't score like other players. It's not a point to talk too much. My decision I promise was about analytics and thinking with all the information. I don't regret my decision."

On the eve of the semi-final second-leg win at Ajax, Pochettino reopened the question of his own future and he has promised to sit down with chairman Daniel Levy after the final to map out the future for the club.

But asked about his future, Pochettino added: "It is not a moment to talk too much.

"In five years at Tottenham the project was so clear, our ambition was amazing, and the commitment from the players was amazing – the club played their first Champions League final. Now is the time to stay calm, change the mood, for sure we are going to have time to talk."

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