Mauricio Pochettino: Manchester City have an 'aura' about them

Mauricio Pochettino has admitted Manchester City have developed an “aura” about their team from their record 15-game winning run, but believes it can be broken.

The Argentine also said that the atmosphere around Pep Guardiola’s side also reminded some of his players of the “special” feeling Spurs had playing at White Hart Lane last season.

Similar to how City have won 16 of 17 games this season and drawn the other, Pochettino’s team won 17 and drew two of their last 19 league games at their old ground. That, however, is also why they know it can be disrupted.

“I agree with you in terms of the aura,” Pochettino said. “For us, we felt the same last season at White Hart Lane - that something special happened around the team.

“I think it was a player a week or two ago that said ‘wow, I remember last season, we always started 1-0 up at White Hart Lane because something special was happening.’ And for the opponent, it was tough to play against us. B

“But now, of course, City are doing fantastic. The respect of the opponents and everyone is massive, and yes, we feel the same - that we respect our opponent, it’s so important - but in the end, we’re going there to fight, to kill them and try to win. That is the most important. For us, we are winners. We need to give our best.

“I don't think it's psychological for us, for our team. It's more about trying to show we are capable of winning with our quality. That is the most important. Because it's going to be a fight between 11 players on the pitch. With a similar philosophy – always trying to play, going forward, attacking football and, in the end, it's about quality and something happening for you.

“Always in football, you need a percentage of luck to win. But of course, they are doing so well. It's so important to give all the credit to the players and to the manager, of course.”

open image in gallery

Pochettino said it is not impossible that City could indeed emulate Arsenal 2003-04, and go the whole league season unbeaten.

“I hope not!” he first joked. “I wish not and that tomorrow we can beat them but of course, they are doing well. It's true that it will be tough for everyone but it's not easy. It's not easy. The Premier League is so tough. You need 24 players that can play in the same level. You need to manage everything and you need some luck, too.

“But of course all can happen in football. It was Arsenal in 2004… it was tough for Arsenal, too, to keep winning and winning and winning. You cannot underestimate what happened in 2004. You need to respect if something good happens.

“I think last two seasons we were competing, last two seasons were above [City]. But it’s normal today, they were right in nearly everything and now they are above. They were so right, I think they are doing fantastic, full credit to Pep, to the players, the coaching staff: fantastic job… when you win, I think it’s because of something you did right. It’s no coincidence. And of course they have an unbelievable team.”