Son Heung-min believes Kevin De Bruyne does not understand what it means for Tottenham to play at home again after the Manchester City midfielder said he “does not care” about their new stadium.
Spurs host City in the Champions League quarter-final first leg in what will be just their second game at the 62,062-seater stadium after it opened last week.
De Bruyne suggested that Spurs will gain no advantage from playing there, saying: “Everybody talks about the stadium like it’s something special. Everybody has a stadium, everybody has supporters.”
But Spurs’ return to N17 has been long-awaited, ending a near two-year commute to play at Wembley while their new home was built.
The noise levels were extraordinary during the opening game against Crystal Palace last week and Son has vowed to ensure City see that it will not be like a game at the national stadium.
“Of course [the atmosphere can help],” he said. “Maybe the City players don’t realise, they always play at home.
“We’ve been nearly two years away from our home stadium and what we did was very positive.
“We missed home a lot and we can show them tomorrow night it’s different from Wembley at our new stadium.
“I think it will be amazing. We had a great game against Palace in the first game at the new stadium – an unbelievable night, a good game and what we expect.
Ready for Champions League under the lights at our new stadium. 👌 #COYS #UCL pic.twitter.com/s2fOuSf2Mb — Harry Kane (@HKane) April 8, 2019
“We’re excited to play this important game at the new stadium.”
Boss Mauricio Pochettino has labelled the match, which is the first of three against City in 11 days, as the biggest of his managerial career.
Spurs were faced with arguably the toughest draw possible when they were paired with Pep Guardiola’s side, who are still in the hunt for the quadruple this season.
The Argentinian, who has overseen wins against Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund and draws against Juventus and Barcelona in this competition over the last two years, accepts that City are the better team.
Asked if this was the biggest moment of his career, he replied: “Yes, as a coach.
“Yes it’s going to be one of the most important games. For us, it’s a bonus to have the opportunity to play in the quarter-finals with all the circumstances.
“We respect Manchester City a lot, we know very well it’s going to be tough.
“It’s so easy to play and prepare and the problem is after delivering.
“City have unbelievable players. It’s going to be tough. We’re playing in the quarter-finals and the big players, the big teams love to play this type of game.
“We need to be sure to match their motivation and desire. The thing we cannot match is talent inside the pitch.
TEAM NEWS: 🔹 @Serge_aurier (hamstring)🔹 @ericdier (hip flexor)🔹 @ErikLamela (hamstring) All three players are undertaking on-field rehabilitation and remain unavailable for selection.#UCL ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/s7oPToFleL — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 8, 2019
“And then it’s 11 v 11 players and we hope my team is going to be better than them.
“I know, and he (Guardiola) knows, we’re brave, we like to go forward, be aggressive, be protagonists.
“The quality of the players on the pitch is going to put the victory on Guardiola’s side but we’re going to try to be protagonists and beat them.”
Spurs will be without Eric Dier (hip), Erik Lamela and Serge Aurier (both hamstring), who all miss out.
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