Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is urging his players to treat Thursday’s Europa League clash with Fiorentina like a cup final (6pm kick-off).

Spurs head to Wembley on Sunday for the League Cup final against Chelsea but first they must negotiate a tricky second leg last-32 tie at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

After a 1-1 home draw in last week’s first leg the Lilywhites know they must score to stand any chance of progressing, and Pochettino is demanding absolute focus from his squad.

Speaking to the Daily Mail Pochettino said: “Thursday will be a difficult game. I think this is going to be our first final before Sunday as Fiorentina are only one game away from going into the next round.

“We know that we must score as the score is 1-1 but we are confident. We are confident to take the game on Thursday and we will try and take victory.” With the inevitable strain of playing three games in a week, Pochettino is expected to field a rotated team from the side which came from two goals down to draw with West Ham United on Sunday.

Roberto Soldado scored a smartly taken volley in the first leg and looks likely to step in for star forward Harry Kane while forgotten man Emmanuel Adebayor appears set to miss out again.

However, Pochettino has been typically evasive regarding his team selection ahead of the crunch meeting.

“We need to decide [on the line up] because we played tough games against Fiorentina and West Ham on Sunday,” Pochettino explained.

“We need to decide on the best team. Twenty one players will be on the list for Fiorentina.”

Fiorentina will look to the mercurial talents of Chelsea loanee Mohamed Salah to provide pace and width, while experienced striker Mario Gomez will provide the main goal threat for the hosts.

Head coach Vincenzo Montella will be without Romanian goalkeeper Ciprian Taturrusanu and will have to turn to contract rebel Norberto Neto between the sticks.

The Brazilian refused to sign a new contract in January and is expected to leave the club as a free agent in July.