Atletico Madrid vs Spurs | Every word of Pedro Porro's pre-match press conference

Pedro Porro joined Igor Tudor in speaking to the media at Estadio Metropolitano on Monday evening, ahead of our UEFA Champions League Round of 16, first leg against Atletico Madrid.

Here's what he had to say...

Tomorrow, you are playing at one of the hardest grounds in Europe - are you ready for that?

Pedro: "Good evening, everyone. To answer your question, yes. I think we need to have the right mindset for tomorrow's game. I've warned the players that we are coming to a very tough ground to play in. I like watching football, and I think we do have the proper mindset for this clash."

You were angry after being substituted against Palace - some fans suggest that maybe the players don't care as much as they do. Does that show you care? 


Pedro: "I just want to make it clear, it was not about the manager. I am a player who gives it all on the pitch, 200%, and we never like losing, it's just about that. So, to end all the speculation that he was about the manager. We've never seen ourselves in this situation. 
So, it was just my reaction."

You know Cristian Romero well - is he hurting right now, looking at the way the season has panned out? How much does he want to make amends and sort this out for Spurs?

Pedro: "Well, Cuti is a very important player for us. We know it, everyone in the squad knows it. He makes all the difference, and we missed him a lot, because he can give a lot to the team and we were missing him, so we are delighted to have him back. 
He is hugely important for us, and this is all I can say."

We asked Diego Simeone if Atletico Madrid are the favourites or if you are, because in the league phase, you were fourth in the table, so you should be favourites. Do you think Spurs are favourites, or Atletico?

Pedro: "It depends on how you look at it. We were fourth on the table in the league phase, and they've had an amazing season. 
So, we just hope to give our best for tomorrow on it. I hope it goes well for us."

How have the last few months have been from your perspective?

Pedro: "Well, they have not been easy because of everything we've gone through. I had a minor injury a few weeks ago, and I just need to be ready. I could tell you, they have been tough times, but this does not affect my mindset and my team-mates' mindset. We always want to do our best. The past few weeks have not gone our way, have not gone the way we expected. We just need to keep going until the end and do things as well as possible."

The team's situation in the Premier League is radically different to the one we've seen in the Champions League - what is the main reason for this?

Pedro: "I cannot give you an exact answer on this. We have not been able to achieve the consistency we wanted. It could be because of different circumstances, but in the Champions League, we've competed well, we've done things right, and this is the reason why we are here. We also need to look at the positive side. The team has competed well in Europe, and we just need to do our best in the Premier League."

Can you clarify that the players really care about the situation in the Premier League?

Pedro: "This is a tough situation. The important thing, now that we are here, is to focus on tomorrow's game, and this is what matters."

What do you think of your new boss?

Pedro: "Well, since I found out he was coming to the club, I knew he was going to be a manager that would help us a lot. All the players know that we need to be on the right path with him. 
Again, we know that he's only in for three weeks now and he just needs to learn everything about us, and the other way around. We're on the right path."