Heung-min Son: Tottenham are ‘not scared’ of Man City ahead of ‘massive’ Champions League tie

Heung-min Son says Tottenham do not fear quadruple-chasing Manchester City in tonight’s Champions League quarter-final first leg.

City visit Spurs’ new home in great form, having won 22 of 23 matches in all competitions and chasing an unprecedented clean sweep of silverware.

Spurs, by contrast, earned their first win in the Premier League since February 10 against Crystal Palace in the opening game at their new £1billion home last week and manager Mauricio Pochettino has admitted they cannot match City for talent.

But Son says Spurs are not afraid of Pep Guardiola’s expensively assembled juggernaut and urged his teammates to think positively.

“It’s a massive game but we are not scared,” said the South Korean. “We should be brave and show our ambition. The fans can give us a little bit of a boost. Our team is full of positive people, positive mates. We can use this positive energy against big sides.”

Spurs visit the Etihad Stadium for the return leg tomorrow week before a League game there on April 20.

“People sometimes forget how important the first leg is and I think the players know how we should play, what we want, how we will be motivated for these games,” Son said.

“We have a great chance to make history. Win with a clean sheet — this is my wish.”

Liverpool set the blueprint for beating City with a stunning, high-tempo 3-0 win at Anfield at the same stage of last year’s competition.

However, Tottenham’s biggest wins in the Champions League — against Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid last season and in both legs of this year’s last-16 tie against the Germans — have come with a more reactive style.

Pochettino has promised to attack City from the off tonight and wants to take a lead back to Manchester next week. “Of course everyone can have different opinions on our approach but for us it’s to be brave,” said the Spurs manager. “We’re playing at home, we need to be brave from the first moment and try to win the game. That’s our idea for the game. I told them [my players] it’s a bonus, so play with freedom and try to be ourselves.”

Spurs will again be without Serge Aurier, who has not played since the 1-0 win at Borussia Dortmund in the last-16 second leg due to a hamstring injury.

The Ivorian has started five of their eight Champions League games this season but Kieran Trippier is expected to continue at right-back or wing-back this evening.

Eric Dier (hip) and Erik Lamela (hamstring) are also missing but Harry Winks is expected to start after returning from a groin injury as a substitute against Palace. Fernando Llorente is also available again following concussion.