Tottenham defender Danny Rose has labelled Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Barcelona at Wembley a must-win game.
The Londoners’ tails are up again after Saturday’s 2-0 victory at Huddersfield made it three straight wins in all competitions.
But Rose agreed his side can ill-afford successive Champions League defeats after they conceded two late goals in Milan to lose 2-1 in last month’s Group B opener.
Two goal machines come face to face for the first time on matchday two; who will be upstaged? 🤔 — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 30, 2018
“It’s a massive game,” said Rose after three hard-earned points at the John Smith’s Stadium lifted them back into the Premier League’s top four.
“We have to win. We’re fully aware of that. We’re all bitterly disappointed from how the Milan game finished and no mistakes, we have to win on Wednesday.”
Defeat at Wembley could leave Tottenham six points adrift of group rivals Barca and Milan with just two games played.
Rose though insists Mauricio Pochettino’s side have proved they can mix it with Europe’s best after group-stage wins over Real Madrid and Borussia Dormund in last season’s competition.
Three wins in a week 👊 Next up, #UCL 🙌Tres triunfos en una semana! 👊 Ahora se viene la #UCL 🙌 #COYS pic.twitter.com/YJjcJPLFIR — Paulo Gazzaniga (@GazzanigaPaulo) September 30, 2018
“We went to the Bernabeu and were unlucky not to win that game and then when we played them at Wembley we outplayed them, and not just them, Dortmund as well.
“We’ve proved that we can do it. At the minute we’re winning ugly and we’re just waiting for the performance to go with the victories.”
Rose was in the thick of it at Huddersfield, heading narrowly wide in the opening stages and having a big hand in Harry Kane’s second goal.
Kane had already headed Tottenham into a first-half lead when he converted a penalty after Rose was deemed to have been pulled back by Florent Hadergjonaj in the box.
A look back at yesterday's away day in Yorkshire. 🎥 HIGHLIGHTS ➡️ https://t.co/lJZ1TiUTHO#COYS pic.twitter.com/ObO0ENs37W — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 30, 2018
After doubts over Rose’s Tottenham future in the summer, the England left-back is grateful he remains central to Pochettino’s plans.
“I’m just happy to be playing,” Rose added. “It’s probably something I didn’t expect four or five weeks ago. I’m just happy I’m in a position to be selected and I want it to continue.”
Huddersfield remain bottom after their winless start was extended to seven matches, while they have failed to score in their last six at home in the Premier League (three this season).
But the Terriers went close to ending their goal drought. Brilliant long-range efforts from Chris Lowe and substitute Isaac Mbenza were expertly saved by Tottenham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.
💬 Wagner: "The players gave it a go and battled. The result isn't what we wanted but the performance was good. "The atmosphere today speaks for itself; big credit to my players and the supporters." Sponsored by @absolute_ws #htafc #HUDTOT (AT) — Huddersfield Town (@htafcdotcom) September 29, 2018
Laurent Depoitre also crashed a first-half volley against the crossbar and the Belgian striker insists the Terriers’ luck will soon turn.
“I think we were quite good in front of goal, but we were unlucky and the keeper made great saves as well,” Depoitre said. “I hope the luck will come with us in the next games.
“We’re getting better and better each week, so I’m quite confident we can soon get points. We deserved a goal. We were unlucky.”
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