Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has suggested that his side struggled with handling the pressure of competing in both the Champions League and the Premier League.
Spurs secured Champions League group qualification for just the second time this season and the first time since 2010-11, but their spell in the competition will end following Wednesday's final group game against CSKA Moscow.
Tottenham will still qualify for the Europa League knockout rounds if they avoid defeat, though, and while acknowledging that Thursday night matches could have an effect on his side's domestic form, Pochettino believes that it will be important to get more experience at Wembley, where they have lost both games in the Champions League this season.
"For us it was also hard to play Tuesday and Wednesday too, we're out of the Champions League. But always it's harder to play Thursday and Sunday, it's psychological, we need to play Sunday at 4pm while our habit now is to play Saturday 3pm in the Premier League - it's the best time to play football. It's always difficult because with Thursday travel, you're back maybe late on Friday morning, always it's difficult and tough," he told reporters.
"To be out of the Champions League is important for different reasons. We have the chance to play more games at Wembley, next season we will play a lot of games there. It is a great chance to get experience at Wembley and make it our home. And then, for the squad to be involved in different competitions. We have a lot of young players who need experience to play in Europe.
"And also, I think we cannot cope with maybe the pressure of the Champions League and Premier League. Now is a good chance to show we have learned from our experience in the Champions League, so why can't Tottenham to go far in the Europa League?"
Spurs will play every home match at Wembley next season while their new stadium is completed.
Barney Corkhill
