Mauricio Pochettino insists VAR prevents gamers from being ‘naughty like we had been’ again in his enjoying days… because the Chelsea boss claims expertise means ‘it is simpler now’ for attacking gamers like Erling Haaland

Mauricio Pochettino admits he was a grasp of the darkish arts as a defender for Argentina and Espanyol — however says VAR now makes it a lot tougher to cease the likes of Erling Haaland.

The Chelsea supervisor locks horns once more with Pep Guardiola as Manchester Metropolis go to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, 26 years after a feisty assembly as gamers within the 1997 Barcelona derby. 

Each Espanyol objectives of their 2-0 win had been scored by Florin Raducioiu, who’d been despatched again to Spain from West Ham by a livid Harry Redknapp after discovering the Romanian striker had missed a cup defeat at Stockport with the intention to take his spouse procuring at Harvey Nichols.

However the soiled work was executed by Pochettino and Co in nullifying Barca’s all-star workforce, led by the nice Brazilian Ronaldo. 

It was a stormy affair, with Luis Figo despatched off and 6 extra yellow playing cards for Barcelona, together with midfielder Guardiola and supervisor Bobby Robson’s younger assistant — a sure Jose Mourinho.

Mauricio Pochettino and Pep Guardiola will lock horns on Sunday, 26 years after a feisty assembly as gamers within the Barcelona derby 

The Chelsea boss admits he was a grasp of the darkish arts  for Argentina and Espanyol

Pochettino says it could be tougher to defend in opposition to likes of Erling Haaland on account of VAR

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‘I keep in mind that recreation — you’ll find some clips on YouTube,’ laughed Pochettino. ‘I used to be performing some dangerous issues and at the moment I’d be off after a couple of minutes!

‘It was a particular night time. To get the victory felt actually good.’

However he provides: ‘Right now, with VAR, it could have been not possible to cease Ronaldo. Again then, we had been “naughty”, there have been no cameras and you would use totally different methods. I wouldn’t say it was simple, however to be a defender now could be actually tough.

‘It’s simpler now for offensive gamers like Haaland. They’ve the benefit of VAR, so defenders are cautious to not foul or pull shirts. Earlier than it was like a conflict in each single motion.’

Right now his defenders should cease Haaland. ‘It is advisable run quicker, focus and attempt to anticipate him,’ he stated. ‘You need to be clear how you’ll defend within the field as a result of he’s tall. It is advisable leap earlier than him. It is advisable educate individuals issues however you additionally want them to really feel it. You need to give them good instruments.’

On Pep, Pochettino stated: ‘Now he has the expertise, data and the squad, and he’s an amazing coach. However we have now to imagine. Soccer is about perception and making an attempt to develop and to create totally different methods to get above them.’