An emotional Mauricio Pochettino was reduced to tears on the pitch at the full-time whistle after Tottenham booked their place in the Champions League final.
Lucas Moura broke through in the 96th minute to score his and Spurs’ third on Wednesday night to complete an incredible comeback at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
After running onto the pitch, Pochettino collapsed to his knees in a heap before crying tears of joy after masterminding a stunning comeback from three-goals down with just 45 minutes of game-time to do so.
The Argentinian boss was unable to give his reaction immediately after the game before having to calm himself down the tunnel.
After celebrating with his players, Pochettino labelled them all ‘heroes’ after the incredible result.
‘Still difficult to talk. Emotion is amazing, thank you football,’ Pochettino said. ‘Thank you these guys, they are heroes. In the last year I am telling everyone I have a group that are heroes and they showed today big balls.
‘Second half was amazing, thank you football. This type of emotion is impossible without football. Thank you to the fans, those who believed in us and to achieve this is fantastic. It’s hard to describe in words.
‘We were talking before the game that when you work and when you feel the love, it’s not a stress it’s a passion. We showed that tonight. I think in the game against City and today it is amazing.
‘It was a joy to watch this type of game, difficult for Ajax, to compete at this level in this competition this can happen and I am so grateful to be a coach, to be in football and living this moment.’
Pochettino also heaped huge amounts of praise on Moura for his huge contributions at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
‘Superhero for [Lucas] Moura. Unbelievable hat-trick. He deserves it, he’s a great guy. Everyone deserves it for all the tough moments we’ve been through over the five years.
‘The chance to play in a final, it is for my family, for all the people who supported us in that moment. It is amazing. Thank you and we now need to be ready for Sunday and then prepare for the final in Madrid.’
Tottenham will go on to face Liverpool in the Champions League final in Madrid on June 1.
