Andre Villas-Boas admits the 4-1 defeat to Inter was “a real lesson” for Tottenham. “We suffered what Inter did in London.”
Andre Villas-Boas admits the 4-1 defeat to Inter was “a real lesson” for Tottenham. “We suffered what Inter did in London.”
Spurs had thought they were comfortably through to the Europa League quarter-finals after a 3-0 first leg victory at White Hart Lane, but were beaten by the same result at San Siro to force extra time.
Emmanuel Adebayor’s away goal proved the difference, as Tottenham went through 4-4 on aggregate.
“I complimented Coach Andrea Stramaccioni,” revealed AVB on Sky Sport Italia.
“Tonight we suffered what Inter did in London. When the mind isn’t working, everything becomes a catastrophe.
“I think every time Inter scored, they felt stronger and it was like a knife wound for us. We really struggled a lot.
“The players did brilliantly to go through. I could not be afraid, because I felt the team was going towards its objective.
“However, this was a real lesson for us and we must learn from it if we are to become great in Europe.”
Tottenham looked like a different team without the suspended Gareth Bale, who was sorely missed.
“Bale is an important and decisive player, so yes he was missed, just as Rodrigo Palacio was missed by Inter in the first half at White Hart Lane,” added Villas-Boas.