(Reuters) – Tottenham Hotspur must treat every Premier League game like a ‘final’ if they are to secure a top-four finish and qualify for the Champions League, interim manager Cristian Stellini said on Friday.
Spurs, who were knocked out of the FA Cup and Champions League last month, have only a top-four league finish to challenge for this season.
But the north London side are fifth in the league standings with 53 points from 30 games — three points behind Newcastle United and Manchester United, who both have a game in hand.
“We could do (finish in the top four). We have to play the final eight games like they are eight finals,” Stellini told reporters ahead of Saturday’s home game against 15th placed Bournemouth.
“We started with (last week’s win over) Brighton and now we have to play attacking football. We are trying to push more, to create more chances, to try to create a good atmosphere in the stadium so the crowd gets behind us.”
Stellini and Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi were sent off in the game following a mass fracas involving both benches.
Both Italian coaches were charged by the Football Association (FA) but the Spurs coach highlighted the team’s unity he saw at the time.
“What we created in that moment was not a good impression. Maybe for the atmosphere we created, it is good, the (FA) decision,” he said.
“We have to be better, but personally I am happy we showed we are a team, we are linked, we are close.”
Spurs have been formidable on home turf with five straight wins but an extensive injury list has hampered their campaign, with Yves Bissouma, Ben Davies, Ryan Sessegnon, Rodrigo Bentancur and Emerson Royal all sidelined.
However, Brazilian forward Richarlison could return to the squad after a month out with injury.
“We have only Richy with one week training with us. Only Richy completely back… The other players started to work but work alone, so they are not available,” Stellini said.
“We have to take care with him (Richarlison) to give him training and the right time to play, don’t take risks.”
(Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru; editing by Pritha Sarkar)
