The absence of Toby Alderweireld and Kieran Trippier from the Spurs squad was a major talking point pre and post-match as the London side took on Inter Milan on Tuesday night.
It was especially the case following the game as Inter scored two late goals to claim all three points.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino was unhappy with being quizzed regarding his decision to play Davinson Sanchez and Serge Aurier rather than Alderweireld and Trippier.
Pochettino thought the strength of his squad was being called into question.
"Why disrespect the players that are on the pitch?" said the Argentine.
You can blame me and say, ‘Gaffer, you were so, so rubbish in your selection of the starting XI’. But please don’t disrespect the players who were playing, because it’s my decision. Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld... we have 25 players and you believe that and sometimes you behave like you ask me with your question, that you can play only 11 and the other 13 or 14 players are rubbish, are shit.
Pochettino added that he was disappointed with the line of questioning from the media.
"Sorry, but I am so disappointed because I am a person that respects you a lot and the players.
"When my decision is to play with XI, you must respect my decision because I am the manager. You show too much disrespect for the players who play in the position as the players you have given me the names of now.
"I don’t understand. Sorry. You are so kind people, but I don’t understand why. Why? Please.
"To be a player is so difficult, and of course for me it is easier on the touchline. I don’t run. It is so painful to hear when some people are not here, and you judge in that way and you kill players who give their best. It’s so unfair."
You can watch Pochettino speaking below.
"Sorry, but I am so disappointed because I am a person that respects you a lot and the players."
Have journalists disrespected #THFC players?
Mauricio Pochettino hits out over 'disrespect' towards Tottenham players: https://t.co/6qL0XtJP9f pic.twitter.com/24kHg9rv8F— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 18, 2018
Picture credit: Shutterstock.com
