Tottenham come from 2-0 down to draw at Juventus

Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen pulled Tottenham back from the brink to hold Juventus 2-2 in Turin, while Ilkay Gundogan dazzled with two goals in Manchester City’s 4-0 romp at FC Basel in their UEFA Champions League last 16 matches on Tuesday. I want to congratulate the players – 2-0 down in Turin to a team so hard to break down.

“It was an enthralling encounter overall: we started the first half excellently, but ultimately succumbed to Spurs’ steady growth of confidence during the game”.

“We are more mature now”, said Pochettino after the 2-2 draw.

Kane, who bagged Tottenham’s victor against rivals Arsenal last weekend, paid tribute to the way his team mates recovered from conceding twice in the first nine minutes on Tuesday – Gonzalo Higuain striking twice for the hosts. In the second half we changed a few things and overall played a good game.

Between their terrible opening, and a moment of madness from Serge Aurier to concede the second spot-kick just before half-time, Tottenham were by far the better team at the Allianz Stadium and a draw was no less than they deserved. “They need to score, but we will play our style of football, as we always do”.

“You never hope that happens, to concede the (early) goal”.

Spurs’ progress over recent years and their Champions League showing this season have put the spotlight on Pochettino, who has garnered interest from rivals clubs.

Tottenham had a mountain to climb against a side which had only conceded one goal in its past 16 matches. We are a young team in this competition.

A brace inside the opening nine minutes for Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain made it seem like Tottenham Hotspur had been all-but knocked out of the Champions League by a side that do not make a habit of conceding at home.

“It shows a lot of character”.

Both Higuain and Kane are world-class strikers, but the Champions League sorts of the best from the very best and the latter take their chances when they come along.

Juventus played more like the away side in the second half with Tottenham again pressing.

Having looked as though they were heading for a potentially decisive first-leg defeat, Spurs fought back to overcome the experience of Juve and claim the draw that leaves next month’s return game at Wembley perfectly poised. And I’m also happy for what they are doing.

“The Champions League is difficult this season and next year it will probably be even harder”.

“I should’ve scored with a header”, he said, referring to a chance carved out from an Eriksen cross that he couldn’t guide past Gianluigi Buffon. “We will have [Paulo] Dybala and [Blaise] Matuidi back in time for Wembley”. “I think people have lost a bit of objectivity”, said Allegri.