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Mauricio Pochettino tells his Tottenham players to turn Wembley into a fortress

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Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham cannot use Wembley as an excuse for defeat in their Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has informed his players only they can turn Wembley into a Champions League fortress.

Spurs take on Bayer Leverkusen in Group E on Wednesday, hoping to break the club's miserable run of form at the national stadium.

Toby Alderweireld celebrates after scoring against Monaco at Wembley Stadium
Image: Toby Alderweireld celebrates after scoring against Monaco at Wembley Stadium

They have won only once in six matches since Wembley was redeveloped, their most recent disappointment coming in September's 2-1 Champions League defeat to Monaco, in front of a record crowd of 85,011.

Tottenham will play all their Champions League games this season at Wembley while their new stadium is being built and Pochettino has urged his players to turn it to their advantage.

Mauricio Pochettino gives his team instructions at White Hart Lane
Image: Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino wants to turn Wembley into a fortress

"It's true that it's a big motivation for the opponent when they come to England and they play at Wembley," Pochettino said.

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"It was for me. To come here to England and play at Wembley against England, it was a fantastic experience.

"But it must be for us, not only a motivation, but it must inspire us, because 90,000 people being behind us must be a big problem for our opponent. And it's in our mind to create that energy.

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"It's our responsibility to create the atmosphere, that says 'okay, it's an exciting thing to come here and play at Wembley but it will be tougher for you too to play against Tottenham, because you play against 90,000 supporters that are very excited and bring all of their energy to us'.

"That is our responsibility to create that atmosphere."

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