Soccer:Young Boys defender Christoph Spycher today warned Tottenham his side would play tomorrow night's Champions League showdown without fear. Spurs fans were celebrating after the north Londoners were paired with the Swiss runners-up for their first match in Europe's Premier club competition for almost half a century.
But former Switzerland left-back Spycher is planning to have the last laugh and prevent Tottenham reaching the lucrative group stage.
“It’s great that they were celebrating but, for sure, we hope that after the two games we will be celebrating,” the 32-year-old said.
Spycher’s ambition is reflected behind the scenes at Young Boys, the club last week replacing their chief executive with a man they feel is better able to boost their European profile. And despite being huge underdogs for the tie, they have already claimed one scalp en route to this stage, stunning Fenerbahce in Istanbul.
“We had little chance against Fenerbahce and we did it,” Spycher said. “So we believe in ourselves, we believe if we make two really perfect games that we have a chance to get through to the Champions League. That’s a dream for us and we will work very hard for that.”
Spurs battered Manchester City for 45 minutes in Saturday’s Premier League opener, with only a world-class performance from England goalkeeper Joe Hart keeping them at bay.
Spycher, who watched the game, said: “In the first half they had some really unbelievable pressure on Manchester City. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the luck to win. We’re not afraid. We have a lot of respect for this team, for these players, but we’re looking forward to the game.”
Manager Vladimir Petkovic also saw Saturday’s match, although keeper Marco Wolfli did not, which may be for the best considering how often Hart was called upon.
As well as the weight of expectation that comes with being favourites, Spurs will also have to contend with the pressure on them to reach the Champions League proper, having not played a European Cup tie since 1962.
But Spycher does not see them being overcome by nerves on the artificial pitch at the Stade de Suisse.
“I don’t think so because they have so many important games in the English championship against the big four,” said the defender, who was not overly concerned by his own side’s form of one win from their opening five Super League games.
“The players are all playing for their national teams — they have all this pressure — so I think it will not be really special for them.”
Playing in tomorrow’s match would be particularly special for Englishman and boyhood Spurs fan Scott Sutter, who moved to his father’s native Switzerland as a teenager. But the defender is doubtful with an injury and may have to wait until next week’s second leg at White Hart Lane to face his heroes.