Tottenham are just a point above the relegation zone following a winless run of 11 matches in the Premier League, but turn their attention to the Champions League on Tuesday night
Igor Tudor has admitted that avoiding relegation is the top priority for Tottenham this season as he prepares to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Spurs have travelled to Spain for the first leg of their last-16 tie against Atleti, but face a perilous situation in the Premier League.
Tudor's side sit 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above the relegation zone, following a miserable run of 11 games without a win - their worst run since 1975. They are the only team in the league yet to have won in 2026 and Tudor's arrival to replace Thomas Frank is yet to have the desired effect.
He has lost all three of his games so far, against Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace, and is already facing speculation about his job. Spurs finished 17th last season under Ange Postecoglou, but qualified for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.
They finished in the top eight of the Champions League group phase to go straight into the last 16 of the competition, where they face a tough test against Diego Simeone's battle-hardened side on Tuesday night.
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Asked how important the Atletico games were, Tudor replied: "Of course, it's very important. It's important, as I said, always, after the game, we need to be focused on us. We have to grow. So, it can be an opportunity.
"A totally different mentality can be used in this kind of game. So maybe this can help us to see which problems we have, I believe that these kinds of games can help us to switch in the right way, but always focus on us, to grow as a team, to do things better. And that's the point."
Asked if the game was like a 'free hit' to find the best approach for the Premier League, Tudor agreed. "As I said, focus on us, playing a team, who has a story in this Champions League, what they have experienced, they have quality," he said.
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"We need to do our best in terms that we need to grow, as you said also. Because our first aim is the Premier League - this needs to be said publicly, this is a normal thing - this is something extra. But that doesn't mean that we don't want to pass and don’t want to go to the next round."
Spurs host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday before crunch matches against Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Brighton and Wolves. Tudor only signed a contract until the end of the season and it has been suggested that Spurs are eyeing Roberto De Zerbi as a possible replacement this summer.