Mauricio Pochettino: This is no excuse for Tottenham’s Champions League loss to Leverkusen

MAURICIO POCHETTINO says playing at Wembley was not to blame for Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.

Spurs headed into the Champions League clash knowing a win would give them breathing space over their German visitors.

But they failed to muster any clear-cut chances and fell to Kevin Kampl’s 65th-minute winner.

Pouncing on a loose ball from close range, the Slovenia international slotted beyond Hugo Lloris to move Leverkusen into second place in Group E.

Defeat means Tottenham are yet to win at Wembley since switching their European fixtures there while a new stadium is built close to their current White Hart Lane base.

However, Pochettino says his team have only themselves to blame for their sorry form away from their N17 home.

“We were poor. I have nothing to say about Wembley, we were poor,” the Argentinian gaffer said.

“If we analyse the game we created the same number of chances and have more possession but the feeling was always that is was difficult to score.

“We don’t have the freedom to play and show real quality. After two games at Wembley, both have been poor. It is not an excuse, it is the truth.

“Mousa Dembele is an important player for us but it [his first-half injury] is not an excuse. He twisted his ankle and cannot continue in the game.

“We need to improve and change some things. We are in a bad moment. After Manchester City we don’t win and we need to be critical and find answers.”

Losing to Leverkusen means Tottenham have now endured six games without picking up a win all competitions.

They will be seeking to bounce back when they face arch-rivals Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.