Seen from a north London perspective, Bodø/Glimt could be the saviour of the season both for Tottenham and for manager Ange Postecoglou. – While Postecoglou knows how difficult it will be to face Bodø/Glimt, the English press believes that Tottenham have a highway to the Europa League final where they will face Manchester United.
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min is not ready for the first semi-final match, but there is nothing against injury and not available list for Bodo/Glimt.
Vice-captain James Maddison claims Tottenham’s players are “100%” behind manager Ange Postecoglou, and that they can still make the season “something very special”. Spurs are in a disappointing 16th place in the Premier League after a weak domestic season, and the pressure on Postecoglou is mounting – despite the team’s good European record.
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The north London club, who have not won a trophy in 17 years, will host Bodø/Glimt in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday. Attacking midfielder Maddison, 28, acknowledges the club’s disappointing season, but believes the focus on the manager’s job security is “unhealthy”.
“We support the manager 100%,” Maddison said. “I think he’s a great man. We’ve had a bad season, especially in the league. In Europe we have been very good, but the league season has been unacceptable.”
“He’s my manager, my boss, and I respect him immensely. This discussion [about Postecoglou’s job being at stake] is something we players are trying to stay away from, because it’s not healthy.”
“I just know that when I come to practice every day, I see that the guys are listening and taking in the messages of how he wants us to play. We are doing our best for the club and we are in a very good position in Europe – where we can still have a special season under his leadership.”
“I’m going to keep giving it my all, until the day he’s no longer here.”
History option
Maddison stresses that the team is looking forward to the challenge of reaching their first European final since losing to Liverpool in the Champions League final in 2019.
“This is huge,” the England midfielder added.
“When you look back on your career, there aren’t many times a player has been in the European Cup semi-finals. Maybe once or twice, if you’re lucky.”
“We have to take advantage of this. We are among the last four in a big European Cup, and we have to use that to get a good game both on Thursday and in Bodø.”
“We have a really special opportunity. There has been a lot of talk about poor form and a disappointing season, but we have the opportunity to do something really special.”
“We deserve to be here. This is a challenge we are looking forward to.”
Bodø/Glimt are not known for doing well away from home in Europe. We at Sporten.com believe that this is a problem that has passed. We are betting on a 1 – 3 win for Bodø/Glimt in London and 3 – 0 at home at Aspmyra. In other words, we think it is Bodø/Glimt who will write history and not Tottenham.
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