Hugo Lloris admits Tottenham have arrived at the make-or-break stage of their season and could still “lose everything”.
Spurs host Juventus in a blockbuster Champions League clash on Wednesday night with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
A 2-2 first-leg draw in Turin last month means Tottenham – fourth in the Premier League and in the last eight of the FA Cup – are favourites to progress, but Lloris is only too aware how quickly things can go wrong.
“It’s true we have a small advantage because we scored two goals away from home,” said the French goalkeeper.
“But if you don’t have the right energy, the right mentality and the right attitude, things can turn very quickly.
“I feel the club and team is growing stronger every season. Most of the players have been here for two, three or four years together.
“Now we must enjoy it. We have arrived at the most important part of the season and where we can win or lose everything.
“Our ambition is to improve, to develop, and the first step is to reduce the gap to the best teams in Europe.
“That’s not just in one season, but season by season and for the future.”
Tottenham had held the Italian champions to a 2-2 draw in the first leg.
Toby Alderweireld will miss the Wembley showdown due to his hamstring problem while fellow defender Serge Aurier is suspended.
Having already beaten Real Madrid in the group stage, Tottenham’s reputation across the continent continues to grow.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino has told his players to grasp their latest opportunity to make another big statement.
“It’s been step by step, a little step every season,” said Pochettino. “You can see the team is more mature. We are going to enjoy the game.
“We know very well we are playing one of the best teams in Europe but we are a brave team and we are very positive people.
“We need to think that we can win, we always think in this way. If we are able to play in the way we normally do then we will be close to winning.”
Provided by Press Association Sport
