Mauricio Pochettino slams 'embarrassing' fixture schedule

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has labelled his side's busy fixture schedule "embarrassing".

Spurs battled to a 3-1 win over Leicester City at Wembley this afternoon and will be back in action on Wednesday for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Borussia Dortmund.

Pochettino was keen to play the Foxes on Saturday instead of Sunday, though, and warned that the 24-hour difference could have an impact on his side when they host the Bundesliga outfit.

"I am disappointed and upset. It's embarrassing. We play today and then we play on Wednesday - I cannot understand why we are [playing on Sunday] because 24 hours in this competition is a massive disadvantage. It doesn't mean that we are not going to compete, but it makes no sense," he told reporters at his post-match press conference.

"It's so difficult to understand why. We came from a very tough period - Christmas and January - when clubs in Germany, Spain and Italy they were enjoying holidays. If you complete on a similar level, you need to play with the same situation. It's not going to be an excuse and I'm not going to complain any more - today will be the last time I complain - and I hope you report the right message, not 'Pochettino is crying'.

"I think you understand very well my feelings, and the feelings of the staff and the players too. We are going to give our best to be competitive and arrive in our best form, but I remember we played Manchester City here on Monday [earlier in the season] and then the EFL Cup on Wednesday. I think my players are heroes. Whatever happens at the end of the season they will be remembered, whether we win the title or not."

Tottenham's victory over Leicester took them to within five points of the Premier League leaders.