Tudor on Romero's fitness, relegation battle & 'belief' for Atletico challenge
· Yahoo Sports
Tottenham boss Igor Tudor has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League last 16 second leg against Atletico Madrid at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (20:00 GMT).
Spurs trail 5-2 from the first leg.
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Here are the key lines from his news conference:
- After their clash of heads late in last week's first leg, Tudor confirmed Joao Palhinha's injury "was worse" and won't be available but captain Cristian Romero "can play".
- Destiny Udogie and Lucas Bergvall "will be on the bench but not part of the game too much as they have just come back to us", while an assessment will be made on Conor Gallagher after the midfielder missed the first leg: "We see today what we can do. He has asthma problems, maybe some virus, it is not a nice thing. We will see tomorrow if he is fit for the bench."
- Is the aim tomorrow to reach the next round, or just to build confidence in the relegation battle?: "Both things. It is a game which we should play to pass. Our first thing is to stay in the league, but tomorrow is a big challenge to show we can do good things and show that they are not better than us."
- On Atletico Madrid's form, following recent heavy defeats by Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano: "It is difficult but not impossible. We need to stay in the game, focus on our strengths. Everything is still to play for, believing we can do it is the important thing from the start."
- Tudor was asked whether a weight has been lifted by winning his first point in charge at Liverpool on Sunday: "Of course, it is important when you give a good performance to confirm the good will, and to start to change things. The players really care, they want to do well. It is not easy to start to move things, but this is one good game. If you are honest on the pitch, football will give you it back. Now we need to continue in this direction."
- When asked if Tottenham will stay in the Premier League, Tudor said he is "very confident" of survival.
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[BBC]