Spurs reach Europa League last to keep Postecoglou’s trophy boast
Tottenham kept alive their hopes of ending a 17-year prize dry spell and saving Ange Postecoglou from the sack as they beat Bodo/Glimt 2-0 on Thursday to reserve a Europa League last clash against Manchester United.After winning
the semi-final first leg 3-1 recently, Postecoglou’s troubled side weathered the storm in a second leg played in gale-force winds in Norway.Advertisement Dominic
Solanke and Pedro Porro netted in the 2nd half as Tottenham’s 5-1 aggregate victory secured their place in the final in Bilbao on Might 21. United whipped Athletic Bilbao 7-1 on aggregate
to establish the showdown in between the Premier League’s 2 greatest underachievers this season.Tottenham have already beaten United 3 times this season, winning 3-0 and 1-0 in the Premier League and 4-3 in the League Cup.The north Londoners are aiming to win their first European trophy given that the 1984 UEFA Cup and their very first silverware in
any competition since the League Cup in 2008. Tottenham’s last 4 finals have all ended in defeat, most especially the 2019 Champions League showpiece versus Liverpool, while they were likewise beaten in the 2009, 2015 and 2021 League Cup finals.Advertisement Ending that dismal streak would fulfil Postecoglou’s vibrant boast earlier this season that he always win a trophy in his second season. “We understood it was a difficult place to come. We
‘re aware of the record they have here, the pitch. The lads managed it well. Delighted, we’re in a last,”Postecoglou stated.” You comprehend the context of what this football club has been attempting to achieve for a long time.”We have actually gotten rid of difficulty this season. We have actually grown in maturity and we comprehend exactly what’s needed.
I think that’s where we won the game.”In spite of suffering in 16th place in the Premier League
, Europa League glory for Tottenham would also protect a location in next season’s Champions League.Advertisement Whether that will be enough to spare the beleaguered Postecoglou from the
sack is another matter.The Australian has confessed the general understanding outside Tottenham is he faces the sack despite the Europa League run since their domestic form has been so bad.With 3 games left in the top-flight season, Tottenham are in threat of their worst surface since they were relegated in 1976-77. United are simply one location above Tottenham in the English leading flight after an equally woeful project.-Composed Tottenham -Based just north of the Arctic Circle, Bodo/Glimt were the first Norwegian group to play in a significant European semi-final. Ad Kjetil Knutsen’s side stunned
Lazio in the quarter-finals after beating Porto, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Olympiakos, Besiktas and Twente previously in
the tournament.It was an amazing accomplishment for a side from a fishing town with a population of hardly 50,000. Playing in icy temperatures and relentless
rain on artificial turf at the tiny 8,270-capacity Aspmyra Arena, it would have remained in keeping with Tottenham’s unstable project if they had ended up being the minnows’most current scalp.But Tottenham kept their composure, providing a committed screen to retain their chance of restoring their
sorrowful season.Advertisement Porro went close at an early stage with a 25-yard free-kick that was magnificently tipped over by Nikita Haikin.In the howling wind, Patrick Berg’s swirling free-kick forced Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to claw it away at complete stretch.In contrast to
their typical ultra-attacking techniques, Tottenham were content to kick back and strike on the counter, frequently slowing the game down so much that Vicario was reserved for time-wasting. The strategy worked a reward as Bodo/Glimt struggled to establish any momentum before Solanke scored in the 63rd minute.Cristian Romero increased highest to head goalwards and Solanke pounced with a predatory close-range finish.Advertisement Porro killed off the Norwegians six minutes later on when the right-back’s cross dipped in at the far post with Haikin rooted to the spot.Postecoglou might lastly breathe a sigh of relief on the touchline as Tottenham commemorated an uncommon uplifting minute in a season of angst.smg/ nf