Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou has dismissed attempts to belittle his side’s Europa League run despite their poor league form.
Spurs slump in the league
Despite their impressive European form with a semifinal first leg clash to come against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday, Spurs have been hugely disappointing in the English Premier League.
They are currently 16th on the log with 37 points, just a point ahead of 17th-placed West Ham United with four games remaining.
The 2019 UCL finalists have lost 19 times this season in the league and are on course for their lowest-ever finish in the 20-team era, despite finishing fifth last season.
What Postecoglou said:
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s match, Postecoglou hit back at critics saying: “I’ve sensed, which is not surprising because I’ve said before that this is the way this club is perceived, that people are almost trying to diminish it in some respects.
I’ve heard people say it’s the equivalent of Man United winning the FA Cup. No it isn’t. I’m sorry. Not on any planet is it the equivalent.
Others suggest that maybe we’re not worthy of Champions League. Things that are designed to diminish what’s ahead of us, which is an unbelievable opportunity”, he added.
Spurs only obstacle to the final of this season’s Europa League is Thursday’s opponents, the first Norwegian side to reach a major European competition semifinals, as they hope to end their 17-year wait for a major title.
“Irrespective of how this season has gone, we have generations of fans who want this more than anything else, to share a special moment with people that they love. This season could have gone very differently and we could be flying in the league, but that doesn’t make the opportunity any different”, Postecoglou added.
“What we have before us is the semifinal of a European competition with an opportunity to get to a final, win a trophy and get Champions League football. I just think for the players and everyone involved at the football club it’s a brilliant opportunity.”
What next for Spurs?
Tottenham’s only chance of playing in Europe next season lies in the Europa League, with the winner of their tie against Bodo/Glimt going on to face Manchester United or Athletic Bilbao in the final at San Mames on May 21st.
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