LONDON -- Mauricio Pochettino says he did not instruct Tottenham to play in a different way in the statement performances against Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Liverpool, attributing the change in approach to a "spontaneous" reaction from his players.
Under Pochettino, Spurs have always tried to play with a high defensive line, dominate possession and suffocate opponents by playing aggressively on the front foot. His philosophy has largely been successful but they looked naive in Europe last season and, notably, in a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool in February.
Pochettino's approach appeared to change in the Champions League games against Dortmund and Real, and Sunday's 4-1 win over Liverpool in the Premier League.