Lenglet explains what helped Spurs play with more power and personality

Tottenham went through to the Champions League last 16 as Group D winners.

Clement Lenglet celebrates with teammates after equaliser against Marseille in the UCL [Getty]

Tottenham progressed to the knockout stages of Europe's elite competition on a night when they were once heading out.

French defender Clement Lenglet says the discussion within the Tottenham locker room during half-time at Marseille helped them play with 'more personality and power' in the second half.

Antonio Conte’s Lilywhites secured their spot in the last 16 of the Champions League after beating Ligue 1 club Marseille 2-1 in France.

Going into the match against Marseille, Spurs needed a draw to qualify for the next round of Europe’s elite competition.

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But when Chancel Mbemba broke the deadlock with a towering header at the stroke of half-time, it looked like the north London club would be heading out of the competition as they dropped down to the third spot.

Nine minutes into the second half, Spurs pulled one back through Lenglet, who nodded in a set piece from Ivan Perisic.

And, following a counterattack in the 95th minute, Harry Kane set up his teammate Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who made it 2-1 with a superb shot that hit the woodwork before going into the net.

The win meant Tottenham eventually ended Group D as winners, while Marseille dropped into the Champions League.

'We started the second half with more power and personality'

"We didn't play well in the first half maybe because we didn't know if we had to attack or defend and maybe it was not good to play this type of first half," Lenglet told BT Sport.

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"After we spoke in the locker room and tell what we have to tell, we started the second half with more power and personality to go to score and we played a very, very good second half.

"I am happy to score here, more for the team, and we needed one point and it's very important to win this type of game. I'm happy because it's an important goal for the team."

'Without Conte it was even more difficult'

Man-of-the-match Hugo Lloris added: "To be honest, we expected that type of game. It was a very difficult place to deal with and I think we showed great personality.

"In the second half we had a good game and Clement Lenglet scored an important goal in France in front of the French people, and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is so important to confirm that top of the group.

"It was a tough night, a great battle, and even more psychological battle because we could feel in the first half a team was playing without the fear to lose, it was Marseille, and in the second half we had a team that feared to lose and it was us.

"Also I believe that when we had to face difficulties, we showed great personality and it's a great result.

"Without our coach, it was even more difficult for him in the stand and it's a great winning team - that's the most important thing."

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