“We have to cover our ears” – Tottenham player on abusive fans, and learning not to react

Tottenham Hotspur star Lucas Moura has spoken to Brazilian outlet Esporte Interativo ahead of the first Champions League clash against Ajax.

In preparations to face the Dutch side in the semifinals, the 26-year-old knows he’s having a special encounter in the match. That’s because he’s playing against David Neres, who also comes from São Paulo’s academy.

“I told the São Paulo fans that in any case, Cotia is in the final.” Lucas Moura told Esporte Interativo. “Me or David Neres. Firstly, very happy to meet him, we didn’t play together at the academy, he’s a lot younger, but to see that Cotia is giving good results. Playing the semi-finals of a Champions League is really wonderful and a great gift for Cotia’s academy.

“And man, like I said, it’s going to be a very interesting duel. Two great teams that are surprising during the competition, Ajax with great players, light players, fast. It’s going to be an interesting duel. But it’s two games, we have to be smart, know how to play at home and try to make a good result. And total intensity always.”

Lucas Moura has also talked about another player who he’s known for a long time: Neymar.

They played together at the national team’s youth squads, and also face each other in matches between São Paulo and Santos.

With Neymar’s aggression towards a supporter in France being one of the big stories of the week, the Tottenham player was asked about it, and has claimed that the PSG star knows he’s wrong.

“Look, I think everyone has a reaction. We know that it’s part of football that fans pick on us, provoke, curse. We have to handle this very well. Neymar made a mistake, he knows that, you can’t attack a fan in any case. You can’t attack anyone, either on or off the pitch. He knows he’s wrong, but the important thing is for him to recognise it and deal with it. I think he’s pretty grown and he knows it. You know these things will happen.

“But like I said, each one has a reaction, one has a shorter wick, others know how to handle it better. I’ve always said that criticism and praise, we have to know how to deal with it. We have to know who it comes from, what matters, what will make a difference in your life. And the people that don’t matter, the fans that are there just to provoke, to curse, which is also part of the show… we have to cover our ears and not give attention to that.”