Ange Postecoglou’s Arctic blast was all about unity and resilience. That was the message from the sharp end of Tottenham’s Europa League campaign, and it came through amid the celebrations in Bodo.
Players hurled themselves at the damp, cold and jubilant Spurs fans after the final whistle and, inside the dressing room, Postecoglou’s post-match words were about his pride at seeing how they ‘stuck together’ through difficult times.
The season has been erratic. Downright awful at times, it must be said. And yet they silenced the din in Frankfurt and disrupted the rhythm of Bodo/Glimt on their notorious plastic pitch. And there is a shot at glory.
‘You can change things,’ Postecoglou told his players after victory in Norway before bristling through his press conference, taking exaggerated offence at anything he saw as somehow designed to disparage the achievement of reaching a Europa League final.
If he is to leave at the end of the season, which appears likely, regardless of the result against Manchester United in Bilbao, he wants to leave a mark. Not only a trophy, which would be, as he said, ‘massive’ but something more durable, a sign of resilience.
No more, ‘Lads, it’s Tottenham’ as Sir Alex Ferguson used to say in days when United minds were stronger.
Tottenham beat Bodo/Glimt 2-0 on Thursday night to progress to the Europa League final
Spurs put in an impressive display in Norway and showed their newfound unity and resilience
Ange Postecoglou is trying to leave his mark on Tottenham even if he departs in the summer
Perhaps that’s laughable when you see Tottenham down in 16th with 38 points, beaten 19 times in 35 league games, and focused elsewhere as they entertain Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The also-rans in the Premier League are so much stronger than the also-rans around Europe. Spurs have rarely dazzled and yet won nine of 14 to reach the Europa League final, losing only twice.
But they have galvanised in the last five games, with some of their best players fit again and a sense of purpose emerging. Since the second leg of the last-16 tie against AZ Alkmaar, when Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven came back together in the heart of the defence, Spurs have won four and drawn the other in the Europa League.
They won in Frankfurt, the result of the campaign, and in Bodo without conceding a goal. ‘A lot of discipline,’ said Van de Ven after victory in Norway. ‘Everybody had doubts when we came over here because Bodo/Glimt was doing unbelievable in their home games in Europe.
‘So we knew from the beginning it was going to be a really tough game, but we showed discipline, mentality, we did what we needed to do, we got a clean sheet and now we go to Bilbao.’
Naturally, with first-choice defenders back, they are more solid. Van de Ven’s pace is indispensable, and Romero’s competitive courage leads the team.
Arguably, since Tottenham’s bleak midwinter, Postecoglou has quietly adapted, too. His team sits a little deeper and defends when required, as well as pouring forward in search of goals.
Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma screened the defence in Bodo. Full backs picked their moments to attack. Dominic Solanke toiled alone up front at times. As in Frankfurt, it was a little more orderly and a lot less chaotic.
The returns of Micky van de Ven (above) and Cristian Romero have made a huge difference
Dominic Solanke toiled up front alone at times and Tottenham battled brilliantly in Bodo
Spurs have already beaten Man United on three occasions this season ahead of the final
But the clash in Bilbao becomes the ultimate test of this newly forged spirit under Postecoglou
Proving doubters wrong? ‘Yeah, that’s a good feeling,’ said Van de Ven. ‘It’s been a tough season, and it will only be successful if we win the Europa League and get the trophy.’
Lads, it’s United, a team Spurs have beaten three times this season, 3-0 at Old Trafford in September when Bruno Fernandes was sent off and 4-3 in London in December, in the Carabao Cup, a night Postecoglou dismissed criticism of his team’s defending by quoting from the film Gladiator, ‘Are you not entertained’.
Most recently, in February, when James Maddison scored the only goal. And still, the showdown in Bilbao becomes the ultimate test of this newly forged spirit because, well, lose that one and it is ‘typical Spurs’ all over again.
Beat United three times and lose when there’s a trophy at stake and the talk about resilience and togetherness is gone again.
They all know that. And while there are defenders fit again, there are creative forces missing, including Maddison and Lucas Bergvall. Heung-min Son did not travel to Norway as he continued to work on his recovery from a foot injury. He could feature against Palace and will have his sights on Bilbao, on Wednesday week.
‘It’s a completely different game, different circumstances,’ said Solanke, who scored the first in the 2-0 win in Bodo, his 15th of the season and his fourth in five games.
Like others, the £65million record signing is back into a good rhythm at the right time after injury as he tries to prove himself a worthy successor to Harry Kane.
‘Big club, big boots to fill,’ said Solanke. ‘In the league we could have done better. Maybe I could have done better as well.
‘But in a European tournament, we’re so close to winning the trophy which the club has wanted for years now. Everyone, the fans, the staff and us players too.’
