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What did you think of the game?
I think it was a good game and to play in front of 64,000 people is very exciting for the players. Then to find this atmosphere was great and for this reason I think also the players tried to push themselves even though we've just started pre-season for many players only three days of training session. Other players have started since 10 days ago.
It was a good game. I have seen positive things. Other situations that we can improve but we have just started this season. Now the most important thing to try to bring all the players to be fit for the first game, because in three weeks we have to start the Premier League and for now my first target is to bring all the players to be fit and to be ready to start the league but I repeat I'm satisfied with the game. We enjoyed the atmosphere and we take positives from the situations.
READ MORE: Tottenham second half player ratings vs Team K-League: Son Heung-min and Harry Kane steal show
The intensity was high for a friendly, was it something you asked of the players?
Honestly it was a friendly game but the mentality of my players has to be to play every game and get the win. The first half was a good intensity. I didn't ask for a high intensity from my players because I repeat in this period it is very difficult for players, especially those who have just started to have training sessions after one month of rest. For this reason we must try to manage very well the training sessions, especially the physical aspect and then to give minutes and time during the game. I'm satisfied with the commitment, the attitude, the intensity that the players put but honestly I didn't ask anything today. I asked them to play with the right mentality, to enjoy the game, to enjoy the atmosphere, to respect the people, to play in front of 64,000 people. You have to give respect for this reason, to put commitment and to score six goals was positive, to concede three goals is the negative aspect that for sure we have to improve.
Many of the fans came to see Son Heung-min, what was your reasoning for starting him on the bench?
I think with Sonny, we started with the players that started the pre-season 10 days ago. Sonny has only three days of training sessions with us. It was the same for Harry Kane and the same for Hojbjerg and the players who played in the second half. Also Hugo Lloris. Then we decided also for Sonny to come in alone and receive the applause of the people and to show their affection. It was for this reason.
What did you think of the Team K-League players and what did you make of the crowds calling your name when you were on the big screen?
For sure I want to say thanks to the people who came here to watch the game. As I said before it was amazing the welcome that we received at the airport. To play in front of 64,000 people despite it only being a friendly game was amazing and for this reason I want to say thanks to all the people from me, the club and all of the players. It's a privilege and an honour to stay in Korea and we are enjoying it a lot.
The Korea All Star was a good team and they created many difficulties [for us]. They scored three goals but I think they played good football and I have seen a lot of good players in this team.
Richarlison played well and his versatility was important, is that one of the main reasons you signed him?
Yeah. Today I've seen a lot of positive things about Richy. The first half he played like a number nine and the second half he played on the right, behind the striker. I think he can play in all these three positions.
I think he is strong physically and a good personality, good character, good quality. For sure also for Richy in this period he is working and we are working on the tactical aspects with him because he has to go into our idea. At the same time we have to work on the physical aspects for him to be fit. But for sure he is a player that gives me important positions up front.
He's a player that is a good player, strong and very good to protect the ball and attack the space. Also he made a good assist, I'm very happy that we signed him.
Can you give us an update on the five players who weren't available today?
About Kulusevski and Ben Davies, you have seen that they had a good training session. Ben Davies also yesterday, for Ben it was the second training session and he needed to recover and run and do the same training as the players did in the last two days. It was the same for Kulusevski.
And yeah we had a problem with Covid, with Bissouma because the test was positive. Bissouma and Fraser [Forster]. For this reason they weren't here with us. Yes, [they are isolating].
Perisic is working very well. He's very close. I think tomorrow he could have a part of the training session with us. Honestly we are satisfied because his recovery is going very fast and we are happy about this and when we come back in London he will start to have some of the training session with us.
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