Ange Postecoglou blasts critics for trying to diminish Tottenham’s Europa League run
Ange Postecoglou has sent a clear message to those who are trying to play down Tottenham’s Europa League journey ahead of the club’s semifinal clash against Bodo/Glimt and explained why the team’s Premier League struggles should not diminish their achievement.
Tottenham Hotspur have a golden opportunity to make a European final for the first time since 2019, and some fans would already be dreaming of seeing their club lift their first piece of silverware since 2008.
Spurs first have to overcome the competition’s surprise package, Bodo/Glimt, to book a place in the final in Bilbao, and Tottenham have been boosted by the news that their opponents will miss several key players for the first leg.
Ahead of what is undoubtedly the biggest game of his time at the North London club so far, Postecoglou has now sent a defiant message to the club’s critics.
Ange Postecoglou says Tottenham have an ‘unbelievable’ opportunity
Some journalists and media figures are not entirely pleased with the prospect of Tottenham getting into the Champions League through the back door, with The Telegraph’s Matt Law tweeting out that sentiment last week.
However, Postecoglou has now dismissed those suggestions out of hand, asserting just how much it would mean for Spurs fans to see their club lift a European trophy.
The Australian told BBC Sport: “I am really strong at the moment on the parallel worlds we are trying to traverse and I have sensed, which is not surprising because this is the way this club is perceived, people are almost trying to diminish it in some respects.
“I have seen some people saying it is the equivalent of Man Utd winning the FA Cup, no. Not on any planet is it equivalent. That is suggesting that maybe we are not worthy of the Champions League.
“Things are there that are designed to diminish what is ahead of us, which is an unbelievable opportunity. Irrespective of how this season has gone, we have generations of fans who want this more than anything else – to share this with the people that they love, a special moment supporting their football club.”
Postecoglou insists Premier League struggles do not diminish achievement
One of the reasons why the excitement among Spurs fans is not as palpable ahead of the semifinal as it should be is due to the nightmare campaign the club has had domestically.
Tottenham are on course to achieve their lowest-ever points tally in Premier League history, which is certainly a record that Postecoglou would want to avoid.
However, the 59-year-old remarked that having an opportunity to reach a European final is huge for the Lilywhites, irrespective of what is happening in the league.
He added: “We could be flying in the league, but it wouldn’t make this opportunity any different. The opportunity is the same and I have made that clear to the players.
“We are disappointed with Sunday at Liverpool, we were nowhere near the level we needed to be. Again, that is something we need to deal with separately.”
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