Mauricio Pochettino wants Tottenham to become more streetwise when dealing with referees

Totttenham manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to stop being so nice and learn from the experts on how to put pressure on referees.

The Argentine now wants to copy Juventus’ dark arts after believing their confrontational approach put on referee Szymon Marciniak contributed towards their 2-1 victory over his side at Wembley in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Pochettino had no complaints with the Serie A side’s behaviour but knows his side need to develop a more streetwise mentality.

The Tottenham manager also pointed out that CEO Giuseppe Moratta and chairman Andre Agnelli were in the tunnel during the two ties while vice-chairman Pavel Nedved was heavily involved in the warm-ups.

Additionally, at least four Juventus players were involved in a heated exchange with Marciniak at the start of the second half.

“Maybe I and we need to learn, the coaching staff, like our players, how we put pressure on the referee,” he said. “In this type of game, every minimal detail can help you win the game.

“Look at the second half. Many fouls that weren’t fouls, many times they started the game with the ball moving, players inside the box on goal kicks – you need to take it again. In the Premier League this doesn’t happen. That situation is about experience.

“We of course complained about Barzagli’s stamp on Son in the first half. We put pressure on the referee. It was easy for the referee to manage us because we were very nice people, trying to help to play a game.”

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Pochettino believes his staff can fulfil a vital role in winning matches, not just by coaching the players.

“Juventus are specialists, because they have habit to win, the habit to put pressure on the referee,” he said.

“The owner stayed in the corridor, in the tunnel before and during the game. It’s a club with a culture to try to do everything to help the team. It’s a massive opportunity to learn not only on the pitch but outside. It’s two games against this type of club – one on the pitch, one is outside of the pitch.

“Before the game was Agnelli, after the game was Agnelli, Marotta. I saw at half-time how they put pressure on the referee. They were complaining about the penalty in the first-half. Of course.

“Agnelli was on the field during the warm-up – and Nedved. We had two penalties in first half because of the handballs, maybe Jan Vertonghen was a penalty but it’s about balance.

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“It’s about small details that count a lot in this type of game, even games that both teams can win. I believe those details can help the club to achieve what we want.

“I am not complaining. It’s only that I saw how they behave. It’s knowing what teams that reach the Champions League final the last three seasons, how they are. It’s good to learn.”

Tottenham know they must immediately find a way of putting disappointment out of their system when they take on AFC Bournemouth away on Sunday.

“There is no time to be sad, because the competition does not wait for you,” said Pochettino. “It is good sometimes to feel the pain, disappointment but sometimes you need your own time. Sometimes in one day you feel good and you feel fresh. Another player needs one day and a half, another player a few hours. More or less in 48 hours, two days, the process for everyone starts to feel better.”

Eric Dier sustained an elbow injury against Juventus and will face a fitness test while Toby Alderweireld is likely to remain out although he has made a return to training.