Interim manager Igor Tudor has confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur will prioritize Premier League survival over Champions League progress as they face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie. The Spurs sit just one point above the relegation zone after three defeats in Tudor's first three games, having sacked Thomas Frank last month due to poor domestic form.

Despite reaching the Champions League knockout stages automatically, Tudor emphasized that securing a 49th consecutive season in England's top flight remains the primary objective. The Croatian coach views the European break as an opportunity to reset after a disastrous start to his tenure, with defenders Djed Spence and captain Cristian Romero returning from suspension. Richarlison is also set to start after coming off the bench in previous matches.

Tudor hopes the hostile atmosphere at Atletico's Metropolitano Stadium will provide a different mental challenge that could help identify team weaknesses. The pressure is mounting on the former Marseille manager to show improvement, particularly with Romero's leadership seen as crucial for stabilizing a defense that has conceded freely. The technical battle against Diego Simeone adds another layer of intrigue to what Tudor describes as a 'beautiful game' that offers a welcome contrast to the Premier League pressures.