LONDON -- Thomas Tuchel believes Tottenham Hotspur can replicate Borussia Dortmund's domestic and European achievements, and says "success is coming" for the Premier League club.
Tuchel's Dortmund face Spurs in the Europa League round-of-16 second leg at White Hart Lane on Thursday, leading 3-0 from last week's first leg in Germany.
Dortmund reached a Champions League final and won two Bundesliga titles under former boss Jurgen Klopp and, after a disappointing seventh-place finish last term, they are again challenging for domestic and European honours under Klopp's successor, Tuchel.
Spurs, meanwhile, are challenging for a maiden Premier League title and, like Dortmund, sit in second place, five points behind the leaders.
There are similarities between Klopp's Dortmund team and Pochettino's at Spurs -- notably a progressive coach, committed to a high-octane pressing game and blooding young players -- and Tuchel sees a bright future for Thursday's opponents.
"There are some similar situations. We are both second and five points behind. Of course, with Pochettino came a clear way to play, a clear attacking side with a lot of possession. A very aggressive style of defending, a lot of attacking in the opponents half, high defending," Tuchel told a press conference.
"These are things Dortmund were famous for in the last few years. But we also developed and tried to reach new levels. Everybody has to find their way. Tottenham are finding their own style and not trying to imitate anything else.
"You have to find your own way in the league you play and in the cup games and of course in Europe. They have an excellent coach and squad. Success is coming. We will see where it ends. We have our own way and our own level which we try to put higher and higher."
Pochettino made seven changes for last week's defeat in Germany, with Harry Kane, Mousa Dembele and Erik Lamela among the players left on the bench at Westfalenstadion.
Marco Reus, who scored twice the first leg, said Dortmund would have beaten a full-strength Spurs but Tuchel disagrees, and said he was not disappointed with Pochettino's decision to rotate.
"Who will know what the result would have been if other players had played? We do the same stuff in league games -- we rotate several positions and who is to say if this is now a weaker squad or not the best choice for this game? Wait and see tomorrow," Tuchel said.
"I am not disappointed. I am not expecting anything. It is a big challenge to play here at White Hart Lane. I feel very good to come to this stadium, it is very special for me personally to coach and train here and to come with a squad that is confident enough to win here again.
"We are eager and hungry to win tomorrow and bring our top performance. We have respect for all Tottenham's players and my colleague Pochettino will make his choices the best he can. I don't think he has given up already. I can't imagine that. So we will prepare as best we can for tomorrow."
Last week, Reus' second-half brace all but ensured Dortmund's place in the quarterfinals, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set the hosts on the way to victory with his 33rd goal of the season, and Tuchel added: "We are happy to have Auba and other extraordinary players in our squad. The improvement comes from his dedication and I'm very happy we have a good connection -- that I can help him and guide him.
"But it is his way, his talent and his achievement. Auba is a top scorer in a league, he plays to get his hands on a cup or league trophy and of course he plays for individual titles too. This is fine because this is what he's dreamed of since he was a little child."
Tuchel confirmed that Ilkay Gundogan and Sven Bender have not travelled to London, while Erik Durm is a doubt after picking up a knock in Sunday's 2-0 win over Mainz.